US targets Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel and Castro family members with sanctions

WASHINGTON (AP) — The United States on Thursday placed Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel, his wife and three other people under sanctions, drawing a swift denunciation from Havana as the Trump administration widened its campaign against Cuba’s leadership.

Among those named was Alejandro Castro Espín, the only son of former Cuban President Raúl Castro and Vilma Espín. He previously advised Cuba’s Defense and National Security Commission and was in attendance in Havana when Raúl Castro welcomed then-US President Barack Obama during their landmark meeting in March 2016. Raúl Alejandro Castro Calis, Castro Espín’s son, was also added to the list.

The measures follow repeated threats by US President Donald Trump to use military force in Cuba after he removed Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from power in January and later ordered an energy blockade that cut into fuel deliveries to the island. Cuba has since faced deep power outages, worsening food scarcity and a broad economic breakdown.

The pressure increased further after Washington unveiled criminal charges against Raúl Castro last month. Thursday’s sanctions, coming after Trump signed an executive order broadening penalties on Cuba, block any US-based property and bank accounts belonging to the listed individuals. It remains uncertain how much of their money, if any, is tied to the American financial system.