Colombia’s Vice President Angelino Garzon has said the United States should abandon its 50-year economic embargo against the island nation of Cuba, state media reported Sunday.
On an official visit to Havana, Garzon affirmed Colombia’s willingness to strengthen relations with Cuba, especially commercially, and reportedly condemned the United States’ position.
According to the Cuban state press agency, the United Nations General Assembly adopted a resolution in October 2010 calling for the end of the U.S. embargo against Cuba for the 20th consecutive year.
The international community remained almost entirely united on the issue; one hundred and eighty-seven countries (including Colombia) voted in favor of the resolution, while only two (the United States and Israel) voted against it.
The General Assembly is scheduled to vote again on the issue next Tuesday, October 25.
Colombia has voted every year to end the embargo, and will do so again this year, Garzon reportedly declared.
“Our government’s relations with the U.S. are excellent, but you have to tell the truth to your friends, and that’s why my country will continue voting in favor of this resolution,” Garzon said, according to Cuban radio station CMHA.
The Cuban media statements were not confirmed by the Vice President’s Office or Colombian media.
