The United Nations General Assembly on Wednesday overwhelmingly condemned the 47-year United States (US) trade embargo on Cuba, an annual ritual that serves to highlight near unanimous global opposition to America's hard-line policy towards the communist island, but which has done little to change Washington's stance, even with a new administration.

This year's vote was 187-3 in opposition to the embargo, with only Israel and the tiny Pacific island nation of Palau supporting the US - just as they did last year.

It was the 19th year in a row that the General Assembly has taken up the symbolic measure, with Washington steadily losing what little support it once had.

Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez ticked off a long list of grievances in his speech before the world body, saying the embargo - which the Cubans refer to as a blockade - had cost the island's fragile economy tens of billions of dollars over the years and prevented Cuban children from getting needed medical care.

Ethically unacceptable

"The blockade is an uncultured act of arrogance," Rodriguez said. He likened the policy to "an act of genocide" that is "ethically unacceptable".

It was the first time the world body has taken the vote since US President Barack Obama took office in January, promising to extend a hand of friendship to Washington's traditional enemies.

The administration has loosened financial and travel restrictions on Americans with relatives in Cuba, and started talks aimed at restoring direct mail links.

It sent a senior diplomat to Havana in September for unannounced meetings with Cuban officials that were believed to be the highest-level talks between the two countries in decades.

Still, Washington has made clear it is not prepared to lift the embargo until Cuba accepts some political, economic and financial changes.

Rodriguez said the question of the embargo represented a "test of character" for the US and its new president.