UN Vote to Lift Cuba Economic Embargo 'Historic Victory'

Earlier in the day, 191 of the 193 total UN member nations voted to lift the US economic blockade of Cuba, with only the United States and Israel opposing the motion.

MOSCOW (Sputnik) — The UN General Assembly, in its vote to lift a US economic embargo of Cuba, has claimed an historic victory, the Cuban Ambassador to Russia said Tuesday.

"This is a historic victory which is a record from 1992. Hundred ninety one UN member states have voted against the unjust blockade policy the United States has been implementing against my country for 55 years," Emilio Garcia Lozada said in a speech commemorating the UN vote.

In December 2014, US President Barack Obama announced the United States would normalize relations with Cuba.

Despite some progress, Washington continues to uphold a congressionally-mandated embargo on Havana, which remains in place after over 24 years.

Emilio Garcia Lozada pointed out that "fraternal" Russia was one of the countries to vote in favor of lifting the US embargo against Cuba earlier in the day at the UN General Assembly.

"Cuba will always be with Russia, and Russia will also be with Cuba," the ambassador said at an event commemorating the UN General Assembly vote, pointing to USSR-Cuba relations in the past.

According to the ambassador, Russia is also subject to sanctions and political limitations imposed by the West, and will overcome the restrictions.

"Cuba says today – Russia, you are not alone. Cuba is with you," Garcia Lozada said.

Cuba and Russia have enjoyed warm relations, dating back to Soviet times. Moscow and Havana currently cooperate closely in energy and civil aviation, and are also working on a program to modernize Cuba's power plants.