Published : 19 May 2026, 03:25 PM
Updated : 21 Aug 2026, 03:45 PM
The US government on Monday imposed sanctions on 11 Cuban officials, including the country's communications minister and several military leaders, and its main intelligence agency, as the Trump administration ratchets up pressure on the island's communist leaders.
The designations are part of a broader campaign against Cuba that includes efforts to block most oil shipments from Venezuela, following the US raid to seize its leader in January.
The administration has described Cuba's current communist-run government as corrupt and incompetent and is pushing for a regime change.
President Donald Trump has heaped pressure on the island, effectively imposing a blockade by threatening sanctions on countries supplying it with fuel, igniting power outages and delivering blows to its economy.
"For more than 60 years, the Cuban regime has prioritised its Communist ideology and personal wealth over the well-being of its own citizens while allowing for the exploitation of Cuba for foreign intelligence, military, and terror operations," the State Department said in a statement. "The United States will continue to take action to counter the Cuban regime, those furthering its goals, and those abroad enabling the elites to profit while the Cuban people suffer."
Following is a list of some of the most senior officials targeted on Monday by the US Treasury and State Departments:
