U.S. Embargo on Cuba Again Finds Scant Support at U.N.

The nonbinding resolution has been an annual ritual for 18 years. The vote this time of 187 in support, 3 opposed and 2 abstaining underlined the utter lack of support for the 50-year-old American attempt to isolate Cuba. (Israel and Palau joined the United States, while the Marshall Islands and Micronesia abstained.)

The Cuban foreign minister, Bruno Rodríguez Parilla, noted that while President Obama had taken steps to ease strained relations, many Bush-era policies remained intact, including barring the export of medical equipment and pursuing fines against companies all over the world that do business with Havana.

The United States has lifted some restrictions in recent months on Cuban-Americans visiting relatives or sending money, and opened the path for food and telecommunications companies to trade. But in September Mr. Obama extended the trade embargo for another year.

“The economic blockade has not met, nor will it meet, its purpose of bending the patriotic determination of the Cuban people,” Mr. Rodríguez said.

“But it generates shortages,” he added. “It is, no doubt, the fundamental obstacle that hinders the economic development of our country.”