US Imposes Sanctions on Cuban President

The United States announced new sanctions on Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel on Friday, marking a significant escalation in pressure against the island’s leadership. 

The move comes exactly four years after the largest anti-government protests Cuba has seen in decades.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated that Washington has imposed visa restrictions on Díaz-Canel for what it described as his role in the Cuban regime’s violent repression of its citizens during and after the 2021 demonstrations.

In addition to the Cuban president, the sanctions also target senior officials within the government. These include Defence Minister Álvaro López Miera and Interior Minister Lázaro Alberto Álvarez Casas, both accused of playing key roles in the crackdown on dissent.

The protests that erupted across Cuba in July 2021 were driven by widespread public frustration over economic hardship, food shortages, and restrictions on freedoms. The government responded with mass arrests and heavy-handed tactics that drew international condemnation.

This new wave of sanctions highlights the Biden administration’s firm stance on human rights abuses in Cuba, as well as its commitment to supporting democratic movements across the region. The sanctions are expected to further limit the ability of targeted officials to travel and access assets abroad.

Washington’s decision also signals a shift toward increased accountability for foreign leaders accused of systemic repression, potentially setting a precedent for future policy actions in Latin America and beyond.