US says it will oppose UN resolution condemning the United States economic embargo on Cuba

A classic American car used as a taxi passes a billboard that reads in Spanish: "Blockade, the longest genocide in history" in Havana, Cuba, Tuesday, Oct. 27, 2015. The United States on Tuesday voted against a U.N. resolution condemning its embargo on Cuba, despite President Barack Obama's calls on Congress to lift the trade restrictions. (AP Photo/Desmond Boylan) (The Associated Press)

The U.S. "no" vote is shown with the results of the vote on the annual draft resolution calling for an end to the U.S.-led five-decade embargo against the Caribbean nation, in the United Nations General Assembly, Tuesday, Oct. 27, 2015. The resolution condemning the U.S. embargo against Cuba has won overwhelming approval, with only the United States and Israel voting against it. Tuesday's vote had the highest ever number of countries voting to condemn the embargo — 191. (AP Photo/Richard Drew) (The Associated Press)

Cuba's Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez addresses the United Nations General Assembly, Tuesday, Oct. 27, 2015. Cuba will submit to the UN General Assembly on Tuesday its annual draft resolution calling for an end to the U.S.-led five-decade embargo against the Caribbean nation. (AP Photo/Richard Drew) (The Associated Press)

The United States says it will oppose a U.N. resolution that condemns the U.S. embargo on Cuba, saying Cuba is "mistaken" if it thinks the measure will improve efforts to normalize relations.

Nonetheless, U.S. deputy ambassador Ronald Godard said ahead of Tuesday's vote that the U.S. remains committed to working toward normalizing relations with Cuba, which could take years.

Cuba's Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez told the assembly in introducing the draft resolution that the United States must lift its commercial, economic and financial embargo against Cuba to make progress toward normalizing relations.

"The lifting of the blockade will be the essential element to give some meaning to the progress achieved over the past few months in the relations between both countries and shall set the pace towards normalization," he said.