Why did the US sanction the president of Cuba and relatives of Raúl Castro? Havana responds and rejects the measures

Home International Why did the US sanction the president of Cuba and relatives of Raúl Castro? Havana responds and rejects the measures
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June 5, 2026June 5, 2026By Mario Vásquez
Why did the US sanction the president of Cuba and relatives of Raúl Castro? Havana responds and rejects the measures

The United States announced this June 4 new financial sanctions against the president of Cuba, Miguel Díaz-Canel Bermúdezseveral members of his family and people linked to the former president’s environment Raul Castro Ruz. The measure, adopted by the President’s Administration donald trumpalso reaches state institutions and Cuban organizations, in a new escalation of pressure between Washington and Havana.

The Treasury Department included in the sanctioned list of the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) Lis Cuesta Perazawife of Díaz-Canel; to Manuel Anido Cuestastepson of the president; to the colonel Alejandro Castro Espínson of Raúl Castro; already Raúl Alejandro Castro Calisgrandson of the former Cuban ruler. According to Washington, the sanctions imply the blocking of assets under US jurisdiction and the prohibition to carry out financial or commercial transactions with designated persons and entities.

Which Cuban institutions were sanctioned?

In addition to individual sanctions, the United States included on the list Ministry of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Cubato the Committees for the Defense of the Revolution (CDR)to the Cuban Institute of Friendship with the Peoplesto the mining The Victory and the travel agency Amistur.

The White House considers that these measures are part of a strategy to increase pressure on the Cuban Government and promote economic and political changes on the island. The decision joins other actions promoted by Washington in recent months, including energy restrictions and new economic measures against Havana.

Cuba rejects the measures and denounces interference

The response from the Cuban Government did not take long to arrive. The Minister of Foreign Affairs of Cuba, Bruno Rodríguez Parrilladescribed the sanctions as an interventionist action and assured that they are part of an attempt to present the island as a threat to US national security.

Through social networks, the chancellor stated that the inclusion of Díaz-Canel, his family members and various Cuban institutions on the sanctioned list constitutes a new example of political pressure from Washington. Furthermore, he maintained that any attempt to generate confrontation between both countries is destined to fail.

“Every US action aimed at building a scenario of conflict between the two countries will be destined to fail. Every threat against the independence and sovereignty of Cuba will have more unity and determination of our people as a response,” said Rodríguez.

A new episode in tensions between Washington and Havana

The sanctions were announced in the midst of a period of growing tension between both governments. Washington has intensified its economic measures against Cuba, while Havana denounces that the United States maintains a policy of pressure aimed at weakening the Cuban Government.

At the same time, the US Department of Justice presented recently an accusation against Raul Castro Ruz for his alleged responsibility in the downing of two small planes belonging to a Cuban exile organization in 1996, an event in which four people died.

In this context, both countries They have maintained discreet contacts to address bilateral issues, although political differences continue to mark the relationship between Washington and Havana.

The Cuban Government reiterated that any political or economic transformation on the island must be decided by Cuban citizens and rejected the accusations and measures promoted by the United States.

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