US imposes fresh sanctions on Cuban president and Castro family amid escalating pressure

The United States has announced a fresh round of economic sanctions targeting Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel, his immediate family, and members of the Castro dynasty. The Treasury Department confirmed that the measures, announced on Thursday, extend to Diaz-Canel’s wife and stepson, as well as the son and grandson of former president Raul Castro.

The sanctions also encompass the Ministry of the Revolutionary Armed Forces and several other entities. While Raul Castro no longer holds an official position within the Cuban government, he remains a significant figure in decisions concerning the island’s future, prompting the inclusion of his relatives in the latest administrative actions.

These economic restrictions represent a further escalation in Washington’s pressure campaign, following visa restrictions imposed on the Cuban president and other high-ranking officials in 2025. The Treasury Department’s latest actions contribute to a de facto fuel blockade that has already deepened Cuba’s energy crisis and exacerbated the fragility of its economy.

President Donald Trump has significantly ramped up pressure on the island in recent months, openly discussing the possibility of the United States taking over Cuba. This rhetoric marks a distinct shift in tone, with the president signalling that the Cuban government could be the next target for US pressure following actions taken against Venezuela.

Although the United States has maintained an embargo on Cuba for decades, the current administration’s approach has intensified the isolation of the communist-led neighbour. The combination of targeted financial sanctions and broader economic restrictions aims to increase leverage over the Cuban leadership amid ongoing domestic challenges.