US Envoy Haley Vows to Vote Against UN Resolution Condemning Cuba Embargo

WASHINGTON (Sputnik) – US Ambassador to the UN Nikki Haley will vote against the resolution condemning the US embargo against Cuba, Department of State spokesperson Heather Nauert said during a press briefing on Tuesday.

"It will be the first vote since President Trump announced our new Cuba policy. We plan to vote against the resolution to underscore this new approach to Cuba," Nauert added.

The decision of the US government to vote against the resolution comes amid the expulsion of Cuban diplomats under the pretext of an alleged "acoustic attack" on US officials as well as Rex Tillerson' statement that the US would maintain relations with the Latin American country.

Earlier this year, Trump rolled back his predecessor's historic opening of relations with Cuba, announcing new business and travel restrictions to the Caribbean island nation. The White House noted that the United States retained the embargo imposed on Cuba and opposed the appeals of the United Nations and other international organizations to abolish it.

The actions of the current US administration are out of tune with the policy of the administration of former President Barack Obama that announced in December 2014 the decision to normalize ties with Cuba after more than 50 years of non-engagement and hostilities. The two countries have reopened embassies in their respective capitals and have signed a dozen of cooperation deals since then. However, the congressionally-mandated US trade embargo continues to remain in effect.