Castro knocks out U.S. trade embargo at UN

The Cuban President, Raul Castro spoke Saturday for the first time at the United Nations and salute renewed diplomatic ties with the U.S. as "major progress".  However, he knocks out a US trade embargo as the number one hindrance to Cuba's economic development, as reported by MSN News.

He said the embargo is "the main obstacle to our country's economic development while affecting other nations due to its extraterritorial scope, hurting the interests of American citizens and companies." 

Only the U.S. Congress has the power to lift the embargo even if Obama already took steps to alleviate the trade and travel restrictions.

The Cuban President Raul Castro addressed the world leaders at a UN development summit and called to put a stop on the embargo and solicit the creation of a new financial infrastructure to help developing countries around the world. 

He said even with the sanctions, his country has made progress, and even offered limited financial help to other developing countries.  Havana and Washington developed harsh ties in 1959 after a revolution led by Fidel Castro, Raul's brother to remove the former dictator General Batista of his authority. 

"The reestablishment of diplomatic relations between Cuba and the United States of America, the opening of embassies and the policy changes announced by [US] President Barack Obama with regard to our country constitute a major progress, which has elicited the broadest support of the worldwide community", Castro stated, speaking at the UN Sustainable Development Summit.

Since 1982, the UN General Assembly has voted each year for the resolution's approval calling on the US to lift the embargo against Cuba, which the country is experiencing since 1960. 

According to the USA officials, the administration believes an abstention could send a powerful signal to Congress and the world of Obama's commitment to ending the embargo, as reported by the Steelers Lounge.