After Iran, Trump Targets Cuba with Sanctions on President

The United States government has once again increased pressure on Cuba by imposing new sanctions on Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel, several members of his family, and some members of the Castro family who still wield significant influence in the communist nation. Among those targeted by the sanctions are the son and grandson of former Cuban President Raúl Castro. Although he no longer holds an official post, Raúl Castro is still viewed as one of the most influential figures in Cuba’s power structure. Besides Díaz-Canel, the US government also sanctioned his wife and stepson. The move also targeted Cuba’s Ministry of the Revolutionary Armed Forces as well as a number of other entities deemed connected to the Havana administration. This latest policy emerges amid an increasingly aggressive pressure campaign by US President Donald Trump against his neighbouring country. Although Cuba has been under a US trade embargo since 1962, the Trump administration has in recent months taken far harsher steps than before. Washington has cut fuel supplies to the island and even issued several threats to take over Cuba. The US government has argued that the Cuban communist regime poses a threat to the security of American citizens and US national interests. Trump has repeatedly stated that Cuba could be the next regime to fall after the ousting of Venezuelan socialist leader Nicolás Maduro last January and the US-led military campaign against Iran. In a statement on Thursday, Trump again linked Cuba to developments in the Middle East conflict. “We will deal with the Islamic Republic of Iran, and as soon as that’s done, on the way home we’ll just make a quick stop,” said Trump, referring to Cuba. Nevertheless, Trump denied that the latest sanctions are aimed at hastening the collapse of the Cuban government. Washington’s latest move follows a series of prior actions, including a murder indictment filed by the US against Raúl Castro and sanctions against the military conglomerate controlling much of Cuba’s economy. Washington had already targeted Díaz-Canel the previous year by banning him and his family from entering US territory. The Cuban government immediately responded forcefully to the latest policy. In a post on X, Díaz-Canel accused Trump of attempting to “strengthen the blockade and the conflict scenario between Cuba and the United States.” He also asserted the Cuban people would not surrender to Washington’s pressure. Díaz-Canel vowed that the Cuban people would “fight the imperialist onslaught.” Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodríguez also condemned the US action. According to him, the sanctions, which he labelled as “despicable,” would be met with “greater unity and resolve from our people.” Meanwhile, Trump said his goal is not to destroy Cuba, but to see the country improve. Speaking to reporters at the White House, he said he just wants Cuba to be “a well-run country that can feed its people.” However, Trump also described Cuba’s current economic situation as being in a terrible state. “But the country is starving, it has no energy, no oil, no money, nothing,” he said. Despite the harsh criticism, Trump also mentioned that Cuba has great economic potential. He said Cuba has “a beautiful piece of land” and added, “You could have beautiful resorts.”