Christopher Landau regrets Mexico's stance on the UN resolution calling for an end to the embargo on Cuba

United Nations/Washington. The Mexican government reiterated its rejection of unilateral blockades and sanctions before the United Nations General Assembly by voting in favor of the resolution demanding an end to the economic, commercial, and financial embargo imposed on Cuba . The Mexican stance was lamented by U.S. Deputy Secretary of State and former ambassador to Mexico, Christopher Landau, who called the narrative of a “trade blockade” against the island “false.”

During his speech at the UN, Ambassador Héctor Vasconcelos , Mexico's representative to the organization, stressed that coercive measures "only harm the well-being of peoples and do not build regions of peace or prosperity."

“Mexico will always advocate for the peaceful resolution of disputes and, therefore, rejects sanctions and trade blockades that only harm the well-being of peoples and do not build regions of peace or prosperity,” Vasconcelos stressed from the United Nations headquarters in New York.

The resolution, presented annually by Cuba , was approved with 165 votes in favor, including Mexico, and again left the United States and Israel in the minority, along with Argentina, Hungary, North Macedonia, Paraguay and Ukraine, who opposed the text, in addition to 12 abstentions.

Following the vote, Landau expressed his discontent on social media regarding the Mexican position, stating that the so-called "blockade" is a misconception.

“As a friend of Mexico, I am saddened to read this post (a publication from the Mexican Ministry of Foreign Affairs regarding Mexico’s position in the UN vote), which is a lie from beginning to end. If we are going to talk about US policy toward Cuba, let’s at least base it on reality and not on fantasies. There is no “trade blockade” in Cuba. A “blockade” is a siege or blockade that prevents goods or visitors from reaching a country. Where is this “blockade” in this case? Cuba freely receives goods and visitors from many other countries, as you in Mexico well know, since you send them enormous quantities of oil,” he wrote on social media.

The US official and former ambassador to Mexico clarified that what exists is an embargo, a series of laws passed by Congress since 1963 that restrict commercial and financial transactions with Cuba by US citizens and entities.

“It is our right to decide that we will not allow our own people to financially support a hostile foreign regime. I am deeply saddened that friendly countries perpetuate this myth and, therefore, support a strongman dictatorship,” Landau added.

The resolution, adopted almost unanimously by the General Assembly since 1992, seeks to end the US sanctions in place since 1960 , which Cuba considers the main obstacle to its economic development.