Cuba condemns intensified U.S. sanctions targeting its economy and officials

The United States announced a new round of sanctions on June 23, targeting five Cuban entities—including two financial firms, a logistics company, a state‑owned mining enterprise, and the island’s largest steel producer—as well as a relative of former President Raul Castro. The measures freeze any assets these parties hold in the United States and block their access to the U.S. financial system.

Cuban officials responded with strong criticism. President Miguel Díaz‑Canel said the United States is increasing pressure because it cannot defeat Cuba, while Foreign Minister Bruno Rodríguez denounced the sanctions as a “tightening of the chokehold” on the Cuban economy. The sanctions add to existing U.S. embargoes that have contributed to severe shortages of food, fuel, water and medicine, and to frequent power cuts across the island’s 9.6 million‑person population.