This much is assured at the upcoming General Assembly of the United Nations: For the 24th consecutive year Cuba will introduce a resolution demanding an end to the U.S. trade embargo against Cuba. Also assured: a one-sided vote in support of the resolution of condemnation. Last year it was 188-2. Joining the U.S.–for obvious reasons–as the dissenting pair: Israel.
This time, however, there’s serious talk that the U.S. may change its dissent to an abstention. It would reflect the Obama Administration’s rapprochement with Cuba as well as its desire for Congress to finally end the counterproductive, 54-year-old embargo. This would be both notable and, well, embarrassing.
It is understandably unheard of for a UN member state not to oppose resolutions critical of its own laws. But that’s what having a Cold War relic of a policy yields.
And, BTW, there’s abstention precedent on this annual embargo vote. Last year there were three. So if the U.S. does abstain, it will follow the lead of the 2014 abstainers: Marshall Islands, Micronesia and Palau. That’s how credible the U.S. position has become.