HUNDREDS of Cuban women gathered in Havana to decry a US energy embargo and other measures imposed by President Donald Trump that are strangling the Caribbean island.

Tuesday’s rally, organised by the Federation of Cuban Women, honoured the late Vilma Espin, the federation’s founder, a guerilla fighter and former president Raul Castro’s wife.

The crowd waved Cuban flags and held signs reading: “Down with the Blockade.”

Deputy Prime Minister Ines Maria Chapman and Deputy Foreign Minister Josefina Vidal led the demonstration along with Mariela Castro, daughter of Ms Espin and Mr Castro.

“This policy of abuse has to stop,” Ms Vidal said. “The Cuban people don’t deserve this.

“It’s the most comprehensive, all-encompassing, and longest-running system of coercive measures ever imposed against an entire country.

“It subjects us to collective punishment, recognised as such under international law, and we couldn’t fail to be here.”

In early January, the US attacked Venezuela and abducted its leader, disrupting critical oil shipments to Cuba.

Mr Trump later threatened tariffs against any country that sells or supplies oil to the island.

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But a Russian tanker carrying 730,000 barrels of crude oil arrived in Cuba last week, the island’s first oil shipment in three months, and a second is expected at a later time.

Cuba produces only 40 per cent of the fuel it consumes, and the shortage has paralysed the nation, affecting its health, transport and production.

Leydys de la Cruz, a 57-year-old seamstress who joined Tuesday’s rally, said: “I am here fighting for the people of Cuba.

“I would ask Trump to leave us in peace. The situation is very bad because of the blockade he’s imposed on us.”

Georgina Reyes, a 36-year-old IT technician, said: “I would tell [Mr Trump] that we don’t hurt anyone. Please don’t hurt us.”