The new sanctions target people, entities and affiliates that support the Cuban government’s security apparatus
President Donald Trump on Friday signed a decree expanding United States sanctions against the Cuban government, two White House officials told Reuters, as he seeks to put more pressure on Havana after removing Venezuela’s leader from power.
The new sanctions target people, entities and affiliates that support the Cuban government’s security apparatus or are complicit in corruption or serious human rights violations, officials said, as well as government agents, employees or supporters.
It was not immediately clear which people or entities were hit by sanctions under the order, which was first reported by Reuters.
The order authorizes secondary sanctions for conducting or facilitating transactions with those targeted by the order, officials said.
The new sanctions were the Trump administration’s latest assault on Cuba, which the president has repeatedly declared is close to a state of collapse.
Under Trump, US forces have launched attacks on boats in Venezuela and entered Caracas to capture President Nicolás Maduro and, with Israel, have waged war against Iran since February 28. Trump said “Cuba is next.” He did not specify what he plans to do with the island nation.
