HAVANA (Xinhua) -- Cuban Deputy Prime Minister Ricardo Cabrisas said in recent days that the US embargo dealt a huge blow to the Cuban economy and society, considering it "the main obstacle for the Cuban people in their pursuit of prosperity."

Thousands of Cubans are affected every day by the embargo imposed by the United States on the island.

Yasil Rodriguez, a 32-year-old who works in a mobile phone repair shop in Havana, told Xinhua that due to the embargo, Cubans cannot access many software and applications developed in the United States.

"It's annoying," he said. "We are supposed to be able to access all websites and apps, but this is not possible due to US sanctions."

The US embargo on Cuba was first imposed in 1962, and former US President Donald Trump has tightened it with 243 other measures, including banning all US Airways flights from the US to Cuban cities except Havana and limiting remittances that Cuban Americans can make. Sent to their families who live on the island among others.

Giulis Vega, a resident of Havana who is visually impaired, said the ban negatively affects the living standards of people with disabilities.

"If the US embargo is lifted, Cuba will have access to technologies and medicines that contribute greatly to the well-being of people like me," he said.

Eduardo Rivas, president of the Cuban Society of Cardiology, said the US sanctions directly affect people suffering from cardiovascular diseases.

"The US blockade restricts the ability of the Cuban public health system to purchase defibrillators on the international market," he said.

Under the current US administration, airlines have resumed flights to Cuba out of Havana and restrictions on family remittances to Cuba have been lifted.

"These are positive measures, but if the US government really wants to help the Cuban people, they have to end the blockade," Havana resident Yaclin Santana said.