US Imposes Sanctions on Cuban President and Key Figures

The United States has imposed new sanctions on Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel, his family members, and close associates. The US Treasury Department announced the measures on Thursday, June 4.

Alongside President Díaz-Canel, the sanctions target four individuals and five entities. The list includes his wife, Lis Cuesta Peraza, two members of the Castro family, and Cuba’s Ministry of the Revolutionary Armed Forces. The Cuban government has not yet officially responded to the announcement. Escalating Pressure on HavanaMiguel Díaz-Canel, 66, has served as Cuba's president since 2018, succeeding Raúl Castro.

These sanctions mark Washington's latest effort to intensify pressure on Cuba’s communist leadership. Last month, the US sanctioned 11 individuals, including Cuba's Minister of Information and Communications, as well as top military and intelligence officials. US President Donald Trump told reporters that the United States wants Cuba to become a "nicely run country." Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodríguez condemned the sanctions on social media. Calling the move "reprehensible" and a clear example of US interference, he stated that Washington's efforts to increase bilateral tensions are destined to fail.

In a related development, the US recently announced criminal charges against former leader Raúl Castro regarding a 1996 incident in which Cuban warplanes shot down civilian aircraft flown by a Cuban exile group.