Governor Andrew Cuomo and a group of business leaders landed in Cuba Monday as part of a two-day business trip. NY1's Zack Fink filed the following report.

HAVANA – Joined by state leaders and a delegation of business groups, Governor Andrew Cuomo is leading the first trade delegation to Cuba since President Barack Obama proposed a new path toward diplomatic relations between the two countries.

"We are looking forward to the embargo, as we call it in the United States, being lifted legally by Congress so that we can have normalization of relations," Cuomo said.

An undated photo shows Cuomo's father, Governor Mario Cuomo, meeting with Cuban leader Fidel Castro in the 1980s. According to Andrew Cuomo, his father had always advocated lifting the embargo.

But while President Barack Obama has announced his intention to remove Cuba from the list of nations that support terrorism, it hasn't happened yet. And critics say Cuba's record on human rights should have prevented Cuomo from making the trip.

"There is no doubt that Cuba has more progress to make on human rights. There is no doubt that Cuba has work to do on the LGBT relationships," the governor said.

Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie and Senate Democratic Conference Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins are part of the state delegation.

"First time I'm going to Cuba. There was always this mystery and mystique around Cuba since we really couldn't go. And I'm looking forward to seeing what opportunities can open up," Heastie said.

"I think this relaxation of the policy makes sense," Stewart-Cousins said. "It is an attempt, again, in a different way to engage our neighbors in Cuba."

Not making the trip is Republican Senate Majority Leader Dean Skelos, who, it was revealed last week, is now the focus of a criminal probe by the U.S. attorney's office.

"My conversation preceded that, and we have a good working relationship. And he said it was about the politics," Cuomo said. "He's come on other trips with me. He made clear he wants to come on other trips in the future."

Known for making whirlwind visits overseas, this trip is no different for the governor. Cuomo and the delegation are only expected to be on the ground in Cuba for roughly 24 hours.