Cuba hails "victory" of UN vote to lift U.S. embargo

Cuba on Wednesday celebrated the overwhelming approval by the UN General Assembly of a resolution to lift the U.S. embargo, calling it a "victory" in the face of unprecedented pressure from Washington to defeat the initiative.

In a social media, Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel described the resolution's broad backing as a "victory for the heroic Cuban people," who have not surrendered despite the "economic suffocation, threats and abuse by the U.S. government."

UN member nations debated the resolution, titled "Necessity of ending the economic, commercial and financial blockade imposed by the United States of America against Cuba," between Tuesday and Wednesday before approving it by 130 votes in favor, 17 against and 25 abstentions.