by Our Foreign Desk

PRESIDENT Raul Castro hit out at the US blockade against Cuba at the weekend, telling the UN general assembly in New York that it was the “main obstacle” to his country’s economic development.”

Making his first visit to the UN, the Cuban president hailed the re-establishment of relations with Washington as “major progress” but he stressed that the blockade was unfinished business.

“The economic, commercial and financial blockade against Cuba persists, as it has done for half a century,” he said.

The Cuban leader added that, apart from the effect on his country, it harmed other nations due to its extraterritorial scope and also hurt the interests of US citizens and companies.

“Such a policy is rejected by 188 United Nations member states that demand its removal,” Mr Castro told the UN development summit.

The UN general assembly has voted each year since 1992 to approve a resolution calling on Washington to lift the blockade against Cuba, which has been in place since 1960.

Cuba estimates that more than $121 billion (£80bn) in damage has been inflicted on its economy from the blockade, which was imposed in retaliation for Cuba’s nationalisation of US properties on the island.

Since the recent rapprochement with Cuba, President Barack Obama’s administration has expressed support for ending the blockade but the decision rests with Congress, where a majority opposes the move.

The two presidents announced a detente last December following more than half a century of animosity that culminated in the restoration of diplomatic relations on July 20.

The UN general assembly is set to discuss a new draft resolution condemning the blockade at a session next month.

However, Cuba will introduce a resolution this year that welcomes the re-establishment of relations and acknowledges Mr Obama’s determination to work with the US Congress to end the blockade, Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez has said.

Mr Castro is due to speak again today, a few hours after the US president takes the podium.

UN diplomats, speaking on condition of anonymity, said that Washington is considering abstaining from the UN vote on the resolution this year, provided the draft text is amended from previous years to tone down criticism of the US.