The United States administration has imposed sanctions on five individuals, including Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel, in a move that marks another escalation in tensions between Washington and Havana.

The US Treasury Department announced that President Diaz-Canel was added to the sanctions list alongside his wife and stepson. The sanctions package also targets Alejandro Castro Espin, son of former Cuban leader Raul Castro, and Raul Alejandro Castro Calis, Castro’s grandson.

Under the measures, assets belonging to sanctioned individuals that fall under US jurisdiction have been frozen, while financial transactions involving US citizens and companies are restricted.

The sanctions package extends beyond individuals. Washington also targeted several Cuban institutions, including entities linked to the Ministry of the Revolutionary Armed Forces, organizations involved in people-to-people exchanges, tourism-related institutions, and groups associated with the Committees for the Defense of the Revolution.

Trump administration intensifies pressure

US President Donald Trump has pursued a tougher approach toward Cuba since returning to office, introducing measures aimed at increasing economic pressure on Havana.

Earlier this year, Trump signed an executive order opening the way for additional tariffs on goods imported from countries supplying oil to Cuba. The White House has defended the measures as necessary for protecting US national security and foreign policy interests.

Analysts view the latest sanctions as part of a broader strategy to tighten restrictions on Cuba’s leadership and economic networks amid longstanding disputes over governance, regional influence, and bilateral relations.

Havana condemns new sanctions

Cuban authorities strongly criticized the decision, describing Washington’s policy as another attempt to pressure the island nation and undermine its sovereignty.

President Diaz-Canel has repeatedly accused the United States of pursuing interventionist policies toward Cuba, warning that increased pressure and threats against Havana could further destabilize the region.

The latest measures are expected to deepen already strained political and economic relations between the two countries, raising fresh questions over diplomatic stability in the Caribbean and the future direction of US-Cuba relations. (ILKHA)