Cuba’s President Miguel Diaz-Canel, second left, and Raul Castro’s grandson Raul Guillermo Rodriguez Castro, center back, take part in a rally in support of former President Raul Castro in front of the U.S. Embassy in Havana, Cuba, Friday, May 22, 2026, after U.S. prosecutors filed an indictment accusing him of ordering the 1996 shootdown of civilian planes flown by Miami-based exiles. (AP Photo\/Ramon Espinosa)<\/small><\/p>\n
2026-06-04T21:03:32Z<\/p>\n
WASHINGTON (AP) \u2014 The United States has imposed sanctions on Cuba\u2019s President Miguel D\u00edaz-Canel, along with his wife and three other individuals, according to a filing on Thursday from the U.S. Treasury Department.<\/p>\n
Also included in the sanctions are Alejandro Castro Esp\u00edn, the sole son of former President Ra\u00fal Castro and Vilma Esp\u00edn. He served as an advisor to Cuba\u2019s Defense and National Security Commission and was present when Ra\u00fal Castro met with former U.S. President Barack Obama in Havana during a historic March 2016 meeting.<\/p>\n
The sanctions come after U.S. President Donald Trump<\/a><\/span> signed an executive order expanding sanctions against the island and has been threatening military action ever since ousting Venezuelan leader Nicol\u00e1s Maduro in January and then ordering an energy blockade<\/a><\/span> that choked off fuel shipments to Cuba. That has led to severe blackouts, food shortages and an economic collapse across the island. It took on new weight after the U.S. announced criminal charges against the island\u2019s former leader, Ra\u00fal Castro.<\/p>\n Trump has ratcheted up talk of regime change in Cuba after pledging to conduct a \u201cfriendly takeover\u201d of the country if its leadership did not open its economy to American investment and kick out U.S. adversaries.<\/p>\n Secretary of State Marco Rubio has said Trump\u2019s preference is to reach a deal with the island\u2019s socialist leadership, but has said he is doubtful the U.S. can reach a diplomatic resolution with the island\u2019s current government.<\/p>\n