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Cuban leader hails UN General Assembly’s resolution to end US embargo

HAVANA, November 2. /TASS/. Cuban President of the Council of State Miguel Diaz-Canel, who has arrived in Russia on a three-day official visit, described the General Assembly’s resolution calling for removal of the US embargo as a "resolute victory."

"We have just arrived in Moscow, home to people who, from the very outset, have been helping us to cope with the blockade, imposed almost 60 years ago. Upon the arrival, we learned wonderful news about the resolute victory at the UN," Diaz-Canel said in a video of his speech made at the Cuban embassy in Moscow on Thursday. "The world has once again admitted that the situation surrounding the island is unfair."

On Thursday, the UN General Assembly adopted its 27th resolution calling for the removal of the US embargo on Cuba, imposed in 1962. The resolution was supported by 191 states, including Russia. The US and Israel voted against.

The UN General Assembly has been passing resolutions calling for the lifting of US economic embargo against Cuba at each session since 1992. The United States severed diplomatic ties with Cuba in 1961 after the US property on the island had been nationalized. Afterwards, Washington imposed a trade embargo on Cuba.

In 2014, former US President Barack Obama admitted that Washington’s previous policy concerning Havana was inefficient and set the course of closer relationship with Cuba and of easing sanctions. Nevertheless, after Donald Trump became president, the US made a U-turn. In June 2017, the US re-imposed some restrictions lifted by Obama.

On Wednesday, the General Assembly reminded in the resolution of the US’ steps taken under Obama, noting that new measures announced by Trump are in contrast with the previous policy.