U.S. Embassy Spreads Italian Demand for Reforms in Cuba
Roma explained its abstention at the UN with criticism of the Cuban government's decisions, although it also called for the elimination of the embargo and recognized its effects on the population.
The U.S. Embassy in Cuba released through its official account in X an Italian statement that calls for urgent transformations from the island's authorities to reduce the suffering of the population. The text, issued by the Farnesina on October 28, 2026, explains Italy's abstention from a United Nations resolution on the embargo. The U.S. intervention was limited to highlighting that diplomatic position, without presenting joint measures.
In its statement, the Italian government requested the elimination of U.S. sanctions and recognized the damage they cause both to the economy and to the humanitarian conditions of Cubans. At the same time, he maintained that the necessary transformations have not yet materialized.
The Government of Italy also blamed the Cuban authorities for an important part of the crisis, for their decisions and for the restrictions on economic and political freedoms. To this diagnosis it added structural problems and historical inefficiencies of the economic system. Its request includes profound changes in the political, economic, social and judicial spheres, in addition to accelerating the implementation of the 176 economic and social measures approved in June.
The General Assembly passed the resolution calling for an end to the embargo: there were 130 supporters, while 17 delegations voted against and another 25 abstained. The support fell short of the 165 votes in favor in 2025. In the Oct. 28 vote, Italy's abstention matched that of other European countries, including Croatia, Latvia, Estonia, Romania, Bulgaria, Greece, Poland, the Netherlands and Germany.
Human rights occupied another section of the statement, in which Italy expressed special concern about the situation after the events of July 2021. La Farnesina reiterated to the Cuban authorities its request to release all people considered political prisoners. The document also questioned Havana's position on the Russian war against Ukraine.
Despite these questions, Roma affirmed that it continues to cooperate with the Cuban population and detailed resources aimed at meeting their needs. According to the Italian statement, the European Union's humanitarian assistance for Cuba increased to reach 16 million euros in 2026. Health care, emergency food supply and access to both water and energy are the priority destinations of this aid.
Italy also maintains 12 development cooperation projects, with an approximate value of 30 million euros, together with other European delegated cooperation resources close to 32 million euros. For this year, it plans to deliver a contribution of 250 thousand euros to the World Food Program for the nutrition of vulnerable people. It also plans to contribute 3.5 million euros to an initiative that it will develop with the Lavazza Foundation to promote rural development and food security.