Cuba makes new embargo appeal

HAVANA, Oct. 7 (UPI) -- Cuba is renewing its efforts to generate international pressure on the United States to end its long-standing embargo against the Communist island.

Cuban officials said they would send their latest appeal worldwide in hopes the U.S. blockade on business with Cuba would finally end after 45 years, Cuba's Granma newspaper reported Sunday.

Havana claims the U.S. embargo has cost the country about $89 billion in trade revenue since it was first imposed in 1962.

The latest appeal by Cuban lawmakers follows recent efforts by Osvaldo Martinez, head of Cuba's Economic Affairs Commission, to convince leaders at last month's U.N. General Assembly session to put additional pressure on Washington to end the embargo.