US raises pressure on Cuba as it sanctions President Diaz-Canel
The US Treasury added Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel and several senior officials to its sanctions list. The decision was framed as part of Washington's growing pressure on Havana in recent months. The Cuban government condemned the move and called the measures unlawful.
Al Jazeera StaffThe US Treasury added Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel and several senior members of his government to its sanctions list. According to Al Jazeera, the move was presented as the concrete next step in Washington's sharpening rhetoric on Havana in recent weeks. The Treasury statement emphasised human rights grounds for the action.
Cuba's foreign ministry condemned the sanctions, saying they were contrary to international law and amounted to collective punishment of the population. Diaz-Canel rejected the decision on his social media account. US officials said the sanctions were targeted at individuals and not intended to produce broad economic effects.
Regional diplomatic effects are expected, particularly given that countries such as Mexico and Brazil maintain close ties with Havana. Analysts say the sanctions are unlikely to add significantly to Cuba's short-term energy and fuel crisis, but they note their political signalling value is high. Reactions from Latin American capitals will be watched in the coming days.
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