Portugal's president visits Fidel Castro, slams US-led trade embargo

File photo shows Portuguese President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa is welcomed by spectators during a State visit at the Federal Square in Bern, Switzerland October 17, 2016.[Photo/Xinhua]

HAVANA - Visiting Portuguese President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa met with Cuban revolutionary leader Fidel Castro, and expressed his condemnation for the ongoing US-led trade embargo against Cuba, local media reported on Thursday.

De Sousa met with Castro on Wednesday, just hours after the United Nations General Assembly overwhelmingly voted for the 25th year in a row to condemn the embargo.

Portugal's head of state hailed the results of the vote, "highlighting that his country condemns the globally rejected extraterritorial policy," state daily Granma reported.

The United States, which consistently voted against the UN resolution calling for Washington to put an end to the half-century embargo, for the first time abstained, with the final vote being 191 countries in favor, none against and two abstentions (including Israel).

A photo of their encounter showed a smiling and still bearded Castro, dressed in a blue track suit, engaged in conversation with De Sousa.Castro thanked De Sousa for his country's support of Cuba.

Castro, who retired in 2006 following a serious intestinal ailment, governed Cuba for 48 years, spearheading the development of cutting edge medicine and biotechnology, despite crippling sanctions imposed by the embargo.

De Sousa arrived in Cuba on Tuesday for an official three-day visit, accompanied by a business delegation, to boost economic and trade ties with Cuba.

It is the first time a Portuguese president visits Cuba.

He next travels to Colombia to participate in the 25th Ibero-American Summit in Cartagena de Indias, and later to Brazil, to attend the 11th Summit of the community of Portuguese-speaking countries.