US sanctions Cuba as Miguel Díaz-Canel, wife, and Castro relatives are listed

The United States placed sanctions on Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel, plus several relatives and associates. A US Treasury Department filing listed Miguel Díaz-Canel, Lis Cuesta Peraza, and three other individuals. The move marked another Trump administration step to increase pressure on Cuba’s leadership. The measures blocked any listed property and bank accounts held in the US.

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The sanctions followed an executive order signed by US President Donald Trump that widened restrictions on Cuba. The steps came after threats of military action and an energy blockade. The blockade restricted fuel shipments to Cuba and worsened daily conditions. Reports described severe blackouts, food shortages, and an economy in sharp decline across the island.

US sanctions on Cuba leadership and named individuals

Among those named was Alejandro Castro Espín, the only son of former President Raúl Castro and Vilma Espín. Alejandro Castro Espín served as an adviser to Cuba’s Defense and National Security Commission. Alejandro Castro Espín also attended the March 2016 Havana meeting with Barack Obama. The list also included Raúl Alejandro Castro Calis, Alejandro Castro Espín’s son.

Díaz-Canel’s wife, Lis Cuesta Peraza, also appeared on the list. Cuba ended the formal first lady title during the revolution. Still, Lis Cuesta Peraza often performed a similar public role. Lis Cuesta Peraza received visiting spouses, including Queen Letizia of Spain. Lis Cuesta Peraza also accompanied Miguel Díaz-Canel on official foreign trips.

Miguel Anido Cuesta, Miguel Díaz-Canel’s stepson, was also sanctioned. Lis Cuesta Peraza previously worked as an official in the Ministry of Culture. The filing did not explain how much the listed individuals relied on US banking. It also remained unclear how closely their finances linked to the US financial system.

Trump comments on sanctions on Cuba and collapse claims

Asked on Thursday if the sanctions aimed to speed Cuba’s collapse, Trump responded, "We just want them to be a nicely run country.\" Trump added, \"The country is starving and its got no energy, its got no oil, its got no money, its got nothing. Its got a beautiful piece of land. You could have beautiful resorts,\" while speaking at an unrelated Oval Office event.

When asked if Cuba was close to collapsing, Trump said, \"Its sort of collapsed,\" and then linked timing to another conflict. Trump said the US would address Cuba after other actions. Trump stated, \"I like to do one thing at a time,\" and referred to finishing military operations in Iran.

Marco Rubio stance on sanctions on Cuba and regime change talk

Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Trump preferred a deal with Cuba’s leadership. However, Rubio also questioned whether talks could succeed with the current government. Rubio said, \"Those designated today direct or fund the regime and its efforts to mobilize its radical revolutionary movements in the United States and around the world.\" Rubio defended wider sanctions, including action against Grupo de Administración Empresarial S.A.

Miguel Díaz-Canel was chosen in 2018 to succeed Raúl Castro. Miguel Díaz-Canel became the first leader in decades without the Castro surname. Before becoming president, Miguel Díaz-Canel served as Minister of Higher Education. Miguel Díaz-Canel also worked as the Communist Party of Cuba’s first secretary. Under Miguel Díaz-Canel, Cuba entered a deep economic and energy crisis.

The crisis was described as among the worst in recent history. The situation was reported as worse after stronger Trump administration sanctions. Díaz-Canel had pledged to update Cuba’s social and economic model. Yet the island remained in repeated emergencies. Separately, US threats gained added weight after the US announced criminal charges against Raúl Castro.

Cuban authorities did not immediately reply to a request for comment. The latest designations added to a long record of US sanctions against leaders and relatives. The US previously sanctioned Omar Bashir in Sudan and Robert Mugabe in Zimbabwe. More recently, the US also targeted Nicolás Maduro and Nicolás Maduro’s wife with sanctions.

With inputs from PTI