Biden blasts Trump over possibility of Cuba rejoining UN Human Rights Council

Presumptive Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden on Friday blasted President Trump over the possibility of Cuba gaining a seat on the United Nations Human Rights Council.

"Trump's international failures have cleared a path for Cuba to join the UN Human Rights Council," Biden tweeted. "This would betray Cuba's political prisoners and further undermine U.S. diplomacy. As President, I will lead by empowering the Cuban people and defending human rights."

Cuba, which was on the Human Rights Council as recently as 2019, was elected to serve on the council multiple times during Biden's tenure as vice president. Terms on the council last for three years. In 2009 when the United States was elected to serve its first term on the council, Cuba was chosen to serve another term. Cuba also was elected in 2013 and 2016. 

Venezuela and Sudan were chosen in 2019 to begin serving terms in 2020.

Under the Trump administration the United States withdrew from the council in 2018. Nikki Haley was serving as U.S. Ambassador to the UN at the time, and indicated that America's dedication to human rights motivated the move. 

"I want to make it crystal clear that this step is not a retreat from human rights commitments," NPR quoted Haley as saying. "On the contrary, we take this step because our commitment does not allow us to remain a part of a hypocritical and self-serving organization that makes a mockery of human rights."