"Speaking on the occasion of Fidel Castro's death, I would like to stress that the embargo that has a negative impact on Cuba should be lifted," Hollande said, as quoted by the BFMTV broadcaster.
The French official added that Cuba should be a full-fledged partner within the framework of the international community.
The United States announced a complete economic blockade of Cuba in 1960 during the Cold War due to differences between Washington and the Soviet-backed communist government in Havana.
In December 2014, US President Barack Obama announced the United States would normalize relations with Cuba after more than 50 years of non-engagement and hostilities. While the two countries reopened embassies in their respective capitals in July 2015, the congressionally-mandated US trade embargo continues to remain in effect.
