US imposes new sanctions on Cuban president and Castro family members

Lead

The United States has imposed sanctions on Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel, members of the Castro family, and several state-owned entities, in the latest escalation of Washington's pressure campaign against Cuba's communist government. The measures, announced Thursday and published on the US Treasury Department's website, also targeted other individuals and entities linked to the Cuban government.

Coverage Comparison

Reports from multiple outlets describe the sanctions as part of a broader US effort to squeeze Cuba's economy and leadership. Al Jazeera, France 24, The Guardian, the Jerusalem Post, and The Hindu all reported that the sanctions target President Diaz-Canel, his wife and stepson, as well as relatives of former President Raul Castro. The Jerusalem Post and The Hindu also noted that four other people and five entities were targeted, including Cuba's Ministry of the Revolutionary Armed Forces.

Separately, Al Jazeera and the South China Morning Post reported on sanctions imposed on Cuba's state-owned oil and gas company, Union Cuba-Petroleo (CUPET), announced by US Secretary of State Marco Rubio. Fox News reported that the administration is expanding sanctions to target foreign firms doing business with Cuba's military-linked economy, a move it described as a significant expansion of US sanctions on Cuba.

Key Claims

The sanctions announced Thursday were revealed on the US Treasury Department's website and target Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel, his wife, and stepson, as well as the son and a grandson of former President Raul Castro, according to Al Jazeera, France 24, The Guardian, and The Hindu. The measures also hit the Ministry of the Revolutionary Armed Forces and several other entities, with the Jerusalem Post and The Hindu reporting that four other people and five entities were named in total.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced the sanctions, describing CUPET as a tool for Cuba's "repressive security apparatus" in a statement, as reported by Al Jazeera and the South China Morning Post. Rubio also said on X that the US was targeting "the network that enables and funds Cuba's subversive and radical operations," according to The Guardian.

President Donald Trump, who has been ramping up pressure on Cuba, told reporters that the US wanted Cuba "to be a nicely run country," as reported by the Jerusalem Post and The Hindu. Trump has also threatened military action against Cuba and openly mused about taking it over, according to Al Jazeera and The Guardian.

Earlier this year, the US government imposed sanctions on 11 Cuban officials, including the country's communications minister and several military leaders, the Jerusalem Post and The Hindu reported. The US also charged Raul Castro with murder for his alleged involvement in a 1996 incident in which Cuban jets shot down planes operated by Cuban exiles, as reported by the same outlets.

The sanctions on CUPET were announced under Executive Order 14404, a measure signed by Trump in May authorizing broad restrictions on Cuban government entities, according to the South China Morning Post. Fox News reported that the administration is applying secondary sanctions against foreign firms for the first time, targeting companies and banks doing business with Cuba's military-linked conglomerate GAESA.

Cuba's energy crisis has been worsened by US sanctions and a de facto fuel blockade, according to Al Jazeera, France 24, and The Guardian. The island's economy has been battered by prolonged blackouts and shortages, as reported by Fox News and the South China Morning Post.

Cuban President Diaz-Canel accused Trump of trying to "strengthen the blockade and scenario of conflict between Cuba and the United States," as reported by Al Jazeera. Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez condemned the measures, saying the US government "continues to tighten the noose around Cuba's economy," according to the South China Morning Post.

Perspectives

US Government: The sanctions are part of Washington's efforts to pressure Cuba's communist government and its leadership. Secretary of State Marco Rubio characterized the targeted entities as tools of Cuba's "repressive" and "subversive" apparatus, and President Trump has expressed a desire for Cuba to become "a nicely run country."

Cuban Government: Cuban officials condemned the sanctions, with President Diaz-Canel accusing Trump of seeking to escalate conflict between the two countries. Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez said the measures were designed to harm the Cuban people and tighten the economic noose around the island.