International Opinion

The U.S. Embargo against Cuba began in 1961 after the Bay of Pigs Affair. The U.S. refuses to end the Ebargo despite overwhelming international disapproval.

For the past 12 years, the United Nations has condemned the U.S. Embargo against Cuba. On November 4, 2003, the U.N passed the latest resolution 179-3 with two abstentions. Only the U.S. Israel, and the Marshall Islands opposed the resolution; Morocco and Micronesia abstained.

The first resolution was passed in 1992, and none of the resolutions call for mandatory action. The resolutions are a statement of international will.

    The Cuban Liberty and Democratic Solidarity (Libertad) Act (Helms Burton Act) was passed in 1996 following an incident in which the Cuban Air Force shot down two civilian U.S. Aircraft carriers. The Helms Burton Act aimed to prevent countries other than the U.S. from trading with Cuba. The Act imposed fines upon foreign countries dealing with property that Cuba exproprioated from U.S. citizens.

EU Counters Helms Burton Act
Failure of U.S. Foreign Policy Toward Cuba