UN chief concerned over impact of U.S. oil embargo on Cuba: spokesperson

UNITED NATIONS, Feb. 4 (Xinhua) -- UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres is concerned about the impact of the new U.S. oil embargo against Cuba, his spokesperson said Wednesday.

"The secretary-general is extremely concerned about the humanitarian situation in Cuba, which will worsen, if not collapse, if its oil needs go unmet," spokesperson Stephane Dujarric said.

Guterres notes that for more than three decades, the UN General Assembly has consistently called for an end to the embargo imposed by the United States on Cuba, and urges all parties to pursue dialogue and respect for international law, the spokesperson told a daily briefing.

Dujarric added that the United Nations is working with the Cuban government to see how the situation can be alleviated.

U.S. President Donald Trump on Thursday signed an executive order threatening to impose tariffs on countries that sell or provide oil to Cuba. ■