LA NATION – The U.N. General Assembly voted overwhelmingly Wednesday to condemn the U.S. economic embargo of Cuba for a 33rd year. Yet the vote — as Hurricane Melissa tore through the island nation — softened Washington's isolation on a longstanding issue in the Caribbean while new friction grows around its military buildup there.

The vote in the 193-member world body was 165-7, with 12 abstentions. Last year, it was 187-2, with “no" votes from the U.S. and Israel and one abstention. This year, Argentina, Ukraine and Hungary were among countries that also opposed the measure.

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In an interview with The Associated Press on Monday, Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodríguez said the U.S. mounted a pressure campaign to influence the vote.

Rodríguez said his governmen

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