Washington sanctions Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel and other Cuban officials

The U.S. Department of State has sanctioned Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel, along with the Ministers of Defense, Álvaro López Miera, and of the Interior, Lázaro Alberto Álvarez Casas, according to a statement released in Washington, DC.

The sanctions were also issued against their immediate family members, who will not be able to travel to U.S. territory.  Similarly, the U.S. indicates that it is "taking steps to impose visa restrictions" on other Cuban judicial and prison officials.

The U.S. government also announced the update of the Cuban Restricted Properties and Prohibited Accommodations in Cuba lists, which include 11 other properties linked to the Cuban government, including the new "Torre K" hotel.  With this, the U.S. seeks to "prevent U.S. funds from reaching the island."

According to the State Department, the sanctions against senior Cuban officials were issued for their alleged involvement in "serious human rights violations," which is part of a U.S. smear campaign against the island's government.

The U.S. also stated that it "took steps to implement President Trump's strengthened policy toward Cuba, outlined in Presidential Memorandum on National Security-5, dated June 30, 2025."

Upon learning the news, Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodríguez Parrilla rejected "immigration sanctions against revolutionary leaders" and denounced the U.S. as capable of "maintaining a prolonged and ruthless economic war against Cuba."