US imposes sanctions on many senior officials including Cuban President, tension increases between the two countries

Washington. Tension between America and Cuba has once again intensified. The Trump administration has imposed new sanctions on Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel, his wife and several senior officials. America has taken this step to increase pressure on the Cuban government. After these sanctions, relations between the two countries have further soured. Cuba has called this decision of America an attack on its sovereignty and open interference.

Those against whom the US has taken action also include Alejandro Castro Espin, son of former President Raul Castro, and his family members. The US government has decided to freeze the properties and bank accounts of all of them in America. However, experts believe that these leaders have very little stake in the American financial system. Despite this, this step is being considered as a strong political warning from the Trump administration.

Does the Trump administration want to put more pressure on Cuba?

US President Trump continues to take a tough stance on the Cuban government. The Trump administration also imposed an energy blockade on Cuba after the ouster of Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro in January. This deepened the fuel crisis, power cuts and food crisis in Cuba. Trump said that Cuba is already almost broken and America will handle this issue as well. He also said that Cuba has beautiful land and huge tourism potential, but the government there is not running the country properly.

How did Cuba respond to America’s allegations?

Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel accused the US of creating new tensions. He said that the Trump administration is trying to subdue Cuba and harass its people. Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez also strongly criticized the US sanctions. He said that America is constantly trying to create such an environment that the conflict between the two countries will increase. The Cuban government clearly said that it will not bow down to any pressure.

Which institutions and people were targeted?

America has imposed sanctions not only on leaders but also on many government and social institutions of Cuba. These include Cuba’s Defense Ministry, ‘Institute for the Friendship with the Peoples’, tourism related organization Amistur Cuba and ‘Committees for the Defense of the Revolution’. Apart from this, sanctions have also been imposed on President Diaz-Canel’s wife Lise Cuesta Peraza and her stepson Miguel Anido Cuesta.

Has America imposed such sanctions before also?

America has already imposed sanctions on the heads of state and their families of many countries. Similar action was taken against former Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir, former Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe and Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro. Experts believe that the Trump administration wants to force the current Cuban government to negotiate. However, it is also believed that due to this pressure the relations between the two countries may deteriorate further.