The United States has imposed sanctions on Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel, his wife, and three other individuals, including relatives of former leader Raúl Castro. The move, announced on Thursday, is the latest in a series of measures by the Trump administration to pressure Cuba's leadership.
Among those targeted are Alejandro Castro Espín, Raúl Castro's only son, and his son Raúl Alejandro Castro Calis. The sanctions freeze any assets they may hold in US jurisdictions and also apply to non-American entities doing business with them.
The sanctions come amid heightened US threats of military action against Cuba and follow the imposition of an energy blockade that has caused widespread blackouts and food shortages. President Donald Trump has said he wants Cuba to be “a nicely run country” but has not ruled out further action.
Cuba's Foreign Minister Bruno Rodríguez condemned the sanctions, calling them “the latest example of the US interventionist plan to portray Cuba as a threat to US national security.” He vowed that Cuba would respond with “even greater unity and determination.”
The sanctions also target Cuba's defence ministry, the Institute for Friendship with the Peoples, and other entities. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said those designated “direct or fund the regime and its efforts to mobilize its radical revolutionary movements.”
