Morocco backs US in UN vote against Cuba embargo debate

Morocco aligned with the United States by voting against initiating a debate at the UN General Assembly regarding the economic embargo imposed by Washington on Cuba since February 3, 1962.

Supporters of the US stance included Israel, Argentina, Paraguay, Costa Rica, the Czech Republic, North Macedonia, and Ukraine. In contrast, 136 nations voted to open the debate, while 30 abstained.

This vote signifies a notable shift in Rabat's traditional diplomatic approach. Historically, Morocco had advocated for UN resolutions calling for the lifting of the embargo on Cuba.

The return of Donald Trump to the White House in January 2025 marked a pivotal change in Morocco's stance. By September 2025, the kingdom had already abstained from a vote on a non-binding General Assembly resolution urging an end to the US blockade of Cuba. That resolution passed with 165 votes, while seven countries, including the United States and Israel, opposed it, and twelve abstained.

On June 30, Morocco also opposed a proposal to allocate $116 million for the UN World Food Programme (WFP) for 2026-2030. This funding aimed to support humanitarian aid to Cuba, providing necessary fuel and food supplies amid shortages exacerbated by US sanctions.

Morocco renewed diplomatic ties with Cuba on April 21, 2017, after a 38-year hiatus. Despite this normalization, the Cuban regime continues to support the Polisario Front and recognizes the «Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic (SADR)».