Cuban President Raúl Castro Calls for an End to the U.S. Trade Embargo on His Country

Relations between the U.S. and Cuba cannot go back to normal until the former lifts its decades-long trade embargo against the latter, Cuban President Raúl Castro said in a speech to the U.N. on Monday.

Castro also called for the return of the controversial American military base at Cuba’s Guantánamo Bay, the BBC reported.

Castro’s sentiment was echoed by U.S. President Barack Obama, whom he is scheduled to meet one-on-one on Tuesday for the second time since the two nations resumed diplomatic ties. Obama said during his speech to the U.N. General Assembly that he was confident the U.S. Congress would lift “an embargo that should not be in place anymore.”

Castro addressed the U.N., which has consistently called for an end to the U.S. embargo, for the first time since taking over the presidency from his brother Fidel Castro in 2006.

The Cuban leader said a normalization of the bilateral relationship that began with an official rapprochement in April this year “will only be achieved with the end of the economic, commercial and financial blockade against Cuba.”

[BBC]

See Photos From Pope Francis' Arrival in Cuba

Cuba's President Raul Castro escorts Pope Francis during the pope's arrival ceremony at the airport in Havana, Cuba, on Sept. 19, 2015.

Ramon Espinosa—AP

People react after the arrival of Pope Francis outside the airport in Havana, on Sept. 19, 2015.

Claudia Daut—Reuters

People watch as Pope Francis is shown on television as he arrives in Havana, Cuba on Sept. 19, 2015 in Santiago de Cuba, Cuba.

Joe Raedle—Getty Images

People disperse after Pope Francis' motorcade passed by in Havana, Cuba, on Sept. 19, 2015.

Desmond Boylan—AP

People react as Pope Francis arrives at the airport in Havana, Sept. 19, 2015.

Alexandre Meneghini—Reuters

People wave to Pope Francis in his popemobile on his way from the airport to Havana, Cuba, on Sept. 19, 2015.

Ismael Francisco—AP

Pope Francis arrives for the first mass of his visit to Cuba in Havana's Revolution Square, Sept. 20, 2015.

Tony Gentile—Reuters

People attend Pope Francis' mass at Revolution Square in Havana, on September 20, 2015.

Adalberto Roque—AFP/Getty Images

Pope Francis gives mass at Revolution Square in Havana, on Sept. 20, 2015.

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Pope Francis and former President of Cuba Fidel Castro during their meeting at Castro's residence in Havana, on Sept. 20, 2015.

Alex Castro—Cuba Debate/EPA

Pope Francis flashes a thumbs up to the choir after holding a Mass in the Plaza de la Revolution in Holguin, Cuba, on Sept. 21, 2015.

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Pope Francis is greeted by Cuba's President Raul Castro as he arrives to lead a mass for Catholic faithful in the city of Holguin, Cuba, on Sept. 21, 2015.

Tony Gentile—Reuters

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Write to Rishi Iyengar at rishi.iyengar@timeasia.com.