US targets Cuban political, military leaders with new sanctions

The United States imposed new sanctions on Cuban officials and the country’s Directorate of Intelligence on May 18, escalating pressure on Havana under a new sanctions authority created earlier this month.

Reuters reported that the measures target Cuban political and military leaders. AP said the State Department added a new layer of sanctions on Cuban agencies and that Secretary of State Marco Rubio designated Cuban officials, including ministers and military leaders.

The action follows Executive Order 14404, signed on May 1, which created the authority used for the new designations. The White House said the order is aimed at people responsible for repression in Cuba and at threats to U.S. national security and foreign policy.

Official Treasury sanctions pages reflected the update on Monday, confirming the new Cuba sanctions framework and related actions.

There is still some uncertainty over the final scope of the designation list. Reuters reported nine sanctioned officials, while other coverage described 11 officials and said additional Cuban entities may have been included.

The new sanctions add to Washington’s pressure campaign on the Cuban government and signal that more measures could follow as the administration uses the new executive order.