The US Treasury Department's Office of Foreign Assets Control announced on the 4th that it has added Cuban President Díaz-Canel and five other individuals, as well as five entities, to its sanctions list.
The announcement shows that, on that day, others added to the 'Specially Designated Nationals List' include Díaz-Canel's wife and stepson, the son and grandson of Cuban revolutionary leader Raúl Castro. The sanctioned entities are the Cuban Committees for the Defense of the Revolution, the Cuban Institute of Friendship with the Peoples, the Ministry of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Cuba, the Cuban State-run Tourism Services Company, and a joint mining venture.
Cuban Foreign Minister Rodríguez posted on social media on the evening of the 4th, saying that the US government's latest sanctions against Cuba are the latest manifestation of US interventionist policies, aiming to portray Cuba as a threat to US national security.
He said any US attempts to create confrontation between the two countries were doomed to fail. Any threats against Cuba’s independence and sovereignty will be met with even greater unity and resolve from the Cuban people.
Trump's Words and Actions Will Escalate Confrontation Between the Two Countries
Cuban President Díaz-Canel said on the 4th that statements made by US President Trump regarding Cuba and the US government's latest sanctions would further intensify the blockade against Cuba and escalate confrontation between Cuba and the United States.
He wrote on social media that the US government’s political shortsightedness has been compounded by a series of recent coercive measures targeting Cuba and intended to hurt the Cuban people.
He stated that, in the face of aggressive and distorted actions by the US government, Cuba is determined to prepare for the worst, and to resist imperialist aggression.
Earlier in the day, Trump said that after the Iran conflict is resolved, the US will deal with the Cuba issue. The US has long imposed economic, financial blockades and trade embargoes against Cuba.