Published Wednesday, 21 October 2026, 4:03 p.m. ET (4:03 p.m. Havana) · Source: Cuban foreign minister’s press conference, as reported by Excélsior, Infobae and EFE
Cuba’s foreign minister, Bruno Rodríguez, accused the United States on Wednesday 21 October 2026 of threatening countries over how they vote on Cuba at the United Nations. He spoke at a press conference a week before the UN General Assembly, where every member country has one vote, is due to vote on Cuba’s yearly resolution against the US embargo.
He said Washington is using tariff threats, aid cuts and visa bans to pull countries away from Havana’s side. We found no US reply to these specific charges, and the claims come from one side of a dispute that adds to the Cuba US tensions we track.
Key Facts
—What happened. Cuba accused the US of threatening countries over their UN votes on the embargo.
—Who. Bruno Rodríguez, Cuba’s foreign minister, accused Washington of pressing governments to abandon Cuba at the UN.
—What happens next. The UN General Assembly is due to vote on Cuba’s embargo resolution on 28 October.
—Why it matters for US readers. The vote tests how much of the world backs US sanctions policy on Cuba.
—Prediction markets. Polymarket gives 8.5% to a US strike on Cuba by 31 December (about US$5.4 million traded; 3:59 p.m. ET, 21 October 2026).
—Power Index. Cuba ranks 14th of 14 in The Rio Times Latin America Power Index, with 22.5 points (October 2026 edition).
This story is part of our coverage of the cuba news. Dates, times and how to follow it are in our guide.
In plain English
Every year the UN General Assembly votes on a Cuban resolution asking the United States to end its trade embargo, a set of sanctions in force since the early 1960s. The vote is not binding, but it shows which countries stand with Havana and which with Washington.
This year Cuba says the United States is lobbying hard to change votes. That is the Cuban government’s claim.
What Cuba’s Foreign Minister Said
Rodríguez called the pressure a dangerous practice in multilateral diplomacy, Excélsior reported. He said it includes threats of tariffs, an end to international cooperation programmes and visa denials for government officials and their families.
He also said Washington backs opposition forces in elections and has circulated documents to persuade delegations to change their votes. Excélsior added that he mentioned suggestions that countries abstain or skip the vote.
He made a similar charge against US Secretary of State Marco Rubio on 14 October, EFE reported through Swissinfo. The new press conference repeats it a week before the vote.
Excélsior reported that, in his telling, the pressure has built for months and involves high-ranking US officials.
What the UN Vote Decides
The General Assembly is due to vote on Cuba’s resolution on 28 October, according to EFE. The text calls for an end to the US embargo, but it is not binding, and only the US Congress can lift the embargo itself.
Last year it passed with 165 votes in favour, 7 against and 12 abstentions, down from 187 yes votes in 2024. The embargo has been in force since the early 1960s.
A smaller yes vote would help Washington argue that its approach is gaining ground. A large one would let Havana say the world still rejects the embargo.
What Prediction Markets Say
- Polymarket, “US strike on Cuba by…?”: 8.5% by 31 December 2026 (about US$5.4 million traded on that contract).
- Polymarket, “Miguel Díaz-Canel out as leader of Cuba by…?”: 7.0% by 31 December 2026 (about US$0.76 million traded on that contract).
Prices as of 3:59 p.m. ET, 21 October 2026. Prices are bets, not polls; Kalshi is regulated in the US by the CFTC.
Why we show this: prediction markets turn real-money bets into a live probability that moves within minutes of the news, which is why investors, campaigns and newsrooms in the United States now follow them closely. We show them next to polls and official results, never instead of them.
What It Means for US Readers
The embargo decides what US exporters, Americans with family on the island and travellers can do. A lopsided UN vote is unlikely to change that, but it can shape how hard Washington lobbies and which sanctions it adds next.
Readers planning trips can check the current rules in Can Americans Still Travel to Cuba in 2026?. For the wider picture, see our Cuba news page.
What Is Not Known
We have not seen the documents Rodríguez mentioned, and the reports do not name the countries he says are being pressed. We found no US reply to these specific charges.
It is also unclear whether any government will change its vote before 28 October.
Sources
Infobae · Excélsior · EFE via Swissinfo · UN DPPA · Polymarket
This article was produced by The Rio Times’ automated newsroom system. How we use AI · Report an error · Editorial responsibility: Matthias Camenzind, Editor-in-Chief
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Frequently Asked Questions
What did Cuba accuse the United States of?
Foreign Minister Bruno Rodríguez said the Trump administration is threatening countries with tariffs, aid cuts and visa bans to change their UN votes on the embargo. We found no US reply to these charges.
When does the UN vote on the Cuba embargo take place?
The UN General Assembly is due to vote on Cuba’s resolution on Wednesday 28 October 2026, according to EFE.
Does the UN vote change US policy?
No. The resolution is not binding, and only the US Congress can lift the embargo, but the tally shows how many countries side with Havana.
How did countries vote last year?
In October 2025 the resolution passed with 165 votes in favour, 7 against and 12 abstentions. In 2024 it drew 187 votes in favour.