Havana - Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel said Friday that measures taken by the United States to economically asphyxiate Cubat do not threaten the people.

'The measures announced by the U.S. government against Cuba will not intimidate the Cuban people and government', the Cuban leader wrote in Twitter.

In his message he stressed 'Cubans will always defend our sovereignty and independence against the empire, it is a legacy of our history that we assume'.

Diaz-Canel said on the social media the Helms-Burton law applied by the United States is to destroy the revolution, while attacking Cuban independence and dignity.

'It represents the annexationist and colonial desire to cause a change in the political and economic system in Cuba. It is an insult to our sovereignty and dignity', the President said.

He also called it senseless and illegal, and stated: 'One cannot legislate against the world, nor ignore the sovereignty of each country.

Helms-Burton, in force since 1996, codifies the economic, commercial and financial blockade imposed by the United States on Cuba, and with its four titles aims to suffocate the country through direct meddling in its internal affairs.

The U.S. initiative also has a strong extraterritorial character, as it seeks to prevent foreign investment in Cuba.