U.S. sanctions Cuba’s President Diaz-Canel, 5 entities

The United States on Thursday (4/6) imposed sanctions on Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel, widening Washington’s pressure on the core power circle in Havana. The U.S. Treasury Department, through OFAC, placed Diaz-Canel, his wife Lis Cuesta Peraza, his son Manuel Anido Cuesta, as well as Alejandro Castro Espin and Raul Alejandro Castro Calis on the Specially Designated Nationals list. Five entities were also sanctioned, including Cuba’s Ministry of the Revolutionary Armed Forces, the Cuban military and the Committee for the Defense of the Revolution. The move came as U.S. President Donald Trump hardened policy toward Cuba. From Havana, Diaz-Canel said the new sanctions would tighten the blockade, hurt the Cuban people and deepen bilateral tensions.