The United Nations General Assembly has voted in favour of a resolution calling for an end to the United States' economic, commercial and financial embargo against Cuba.

The draft resolution A/81/5 received 130 votes in favour, 17 against and 25 abstentions in New York yesterday.

For more than six decades, Cuba has faced US economic restrictions, which Havana says continue to hinder its development, international trade and access to essential services.

Cuba's Foreign Affairs Minister, Bruno Rodríguez Parrilla, says the blockade continues to cause significant economic damage, arguing that the threat lies in the restrictions imposed on Cuba.

"This can be measured by this counter. This clock is a countermeasure to the damage the blockade is wreaking on Cuba and the damage that has been wrought since the beginning of yesterday's session. The damages are counted in dollars in today's prices. US dollar's value. Since this session began, this meeting began yesterday; the damage done by the blockade stands at $22.9 million.

Namibia also supported the resolution, reaffirming its longstanding solidarity with Cuba.

Namibia's representative to the United Nations, Penda Naanda, highlighted the reported impact of fuel shortages on Cuba's healthcare system.

"This is the time to defend the human rights of the Cuban people, whose hospitals cannot perform surgery as a result of the oil siege imposed since the beginning of this year." 

Meanwhile, Cuba's Ambassador to Namibia, Sergio Luis Vigoa de la Uz, welcomed the outcome.

"There were 130 countries that voted in favour of this resolution. This is very important, and the whole continent of Africa was voting in favour, as usual."

The General Assembly vote renews international calls for the lifting of the embargo, although such resolutions are not legally binding on the United States.