The United States imposed sanctions on Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel on Thursday, according to the U.S Treasury Department’s website.
The sanctions also targeted some of his immediate family members, along with affiliated entities including the Ministry of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Cuba.
Diaz-Canel responded to the sanctions on X, stating, “The aggressiveness and perversity of the Yankee government will clash with our decision to confront the worst scenarios and resist the imperialist onslaught.”
He also added that the sanctions would “strengthen the blockade and scenario of conflict between Cuba and the United States”.
Diaz-Canel, aged 66, took over the role of President from Raul Castro, the brother of late Fidel Castro, in 2018. The United States had earlier indicted Raul Castro on charges related to his involvement in the downing of planes operated by an anti-Castro humanitarian group in 1996.
Raul Castro’s son and grandson were also targeted in the latest U.S sanctions.
U.S President Donald Trump had told reporters that the United States wanted Cuba “to be a nicely run country” as his government continues to intensify pressure on Havana’s communist regime.
The Trump administration had also imposed sanctions on 11 Cuban officials last month, including the island nation’s communications minister, several military leaders, and its main intelligence agency.
Trump had imposed a blockade on Cuba’s fuel supply, threatening tariffs on any nation that provides energy resources to Havana. The current fuel crisis has led to frequent power outrages lasting up to 22 hours, transportation disruptions, and shortages of food, medicine and clean water. The restrictions have also disrupted financial transactions and tourism in the country, leading to further economical isolation.
The United Nations condemned the blockade and cautioned that the combination of economic hardship, infrastructure failures, and natural disaster risks could lead to a major humanitarian emergency as the Carribean hurricane season approaches the island.
