CUBAN President Miguel Diaz-Canel called for a united struggle against the crippling US embargo on Sunday as he warned that opportunists were seeking to take advantage of the economic crisis.

Large protests have been held in the socialist island, where the economy has shrunk by 11 per cent due to Washington’s continued blockade as well as the impact of the coronavirus pandemic.

Protesters have also demanded a speed-up of the Covid-19 vaccination rollout: Cuba registered nearly 7,000 new cases and 47 deaths on Sunday.