"Hunger and desperation" are the point
Tuesday’s UN vote saw 191 countries support Cuba’s resolution against the blockade, with just the United States and Israel voting against. Unlike previously, this year there were no abstentions.
The resolution adopted by the General Assembly notes that the economic damage inflicted on the Cuban economy exceeds 8 billion
An important reminder of the underlying purpose of the blockade: bringing about "hunger, desperation, and overthrow of government."
State Dept memo on Cuba, written April 6, 1960:
“The majority of Cubans support Castro… the only foreseeable means of alienating internal support is through disenchantment and disaffection based on economic dissatisfaction and hardship… every possible means should be undertaken promptly to weaken the economic life of Cuba… a line of action which, while as adroit and inconspicuous as possible, makes the greatest inroads in denying money and supplies to Cuba, to decrease monetary and real wages, to bring about hunger, desperation and overthrow of government”
