Among the individuals sanctioned are the son and grandson of former president Raul Castro. R. Castro no longer holds official positions but remains one of the most influential figures on the island.
Read more Milita Daikerytė ended up in the hospital – had an operation: «How fragile life is»
The latest US sanctions also affected President Miguel Diaz-Canel, his wife and stepson, as well as the Ministry of Revolutionary Armed Forces and several other institutions.
Although a US trade embargo has been in place against Cuba since 1962, President Donald Trump has drastically increased pressure in recent months, cutting off fuel supplies and threatening to take control of the island.
Washington claims that Cuba’s communist regime poses a threat to American security.
D. Trump has repeatedly stated that it could be the next failing state after the overthrow of Venezuelan socialist leader Nicolas Maduro in January and the US campaign against Iran.
“We will deal with the Islamic Republic of Iran, and when that is done, we will just stop briefly on our way back,” D. Trump said on Thursday, referring to Cuba.
He denied that the new sanctions, which follow US accusations of murder against R. Castro and sanctions against a military conglomerate controlling much of Cuba’s economy, are aimed at accelerating the island’s collapse.
Washington already targeted M. Diaz-Canel with sanctions last year, banning him and his family from entering the United States.
Read more Šaltibarščiai Festival in Vilnius broke records: attracted almost 180,000 participants
On the social network “X”, M. Diaz-Canel accused D. Trump of attempting to “strengthen the blockade and the scenario of conflict between Cuba and the United States”.
He added that Cuba would resist “the aggressiveness and perversion of the Yankee government” and “imperialist aggression”.
Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez stated that the “vile” sanctions would be met with “greater unity and determination of our people”.
D. Trump told reporters at the White House that he simply wants Cuba to be “a beautifully run country that can feed its people”.
“But the country is starving, it has no energy, no oil, no money, no nothing,” he said.
However, he noted that Cuba has “a beautiful piece of land” and mused: “You could have beautiful resorts.”
