Díaz-Canel rejects aid from the United States following the massive blackout and the passage of Hurricane Oscar.

The Cuban leader, Miguel Díaz-Canel Bermúdez, subtly rejected the U.S. government's aid proposal to Cuba amid the energy crisis, and challenged the Biden Administration to end the economic embargo.

"About 41 countries and various international organizations have expressed solidarity with Cuba, which is facing the simultaneous impacts of a cyclone and an energy emergency, with admirable resilience. The United States declares that we have not asked for anything. Here is our demand: Lift the Blockade," said Díaz-Canel on his social media.

In his message, he refers to international solidarity and takes the opportunity to lash out at the United States for the economic embargo that the country has maintained towards the island.

On several occasions, Díaz-Canel has refused to acknowledge the mistakes of his government, particularly his misguided economic strategy, which have led Cuba to its current crisis, with widespread blackouts, lack of fuel, food shortages, and a halt in production and sociocultural life.

The situation is even more serious in the eastern part of the country, which has been affected by the passage of Hurricane Oscar. Seven deaths have been confirmed in Guantánamo, there are missing persons, and some communities remain cut off from communication.

In Díaz-Canel's view, the blame for all the ills that Cubans suffer lies with the embargo, or "Blockade," as the regime usually calls it.

This week, the United States government expressed concern about the humanitarian situation in Cuba and left the doors open for collaboration with the island's authorities.

"We are concerned about the possible humanitarian impact on the Cuban people. As we have seen in recent years, the economic conditions in Cuba, stemming from a prolonged mismanagement of its policies and resources, have undoubtedly increased the hardships faced by the population," said Karine Jean-Pierre, spokesperson for the White House.

The U.S. government insisted that it is "not responsible" for the blackouts and confirmed that the regime "has not requested any help so far." They also made it clear that, should a request be made, the Biden Administration would assess the appropriate steps to take in order to offer support to Cuba.

Díaz-Canel took a couple of days to respond to those statements, and he does so this Wednesday with a new demonstration of his "policy of continuity": Closing the doors to possible aid and blaming the blockade.