US continues to squeeze Cuban economy with new round of sanctions

What the report says

The United States has imposed a new round of sanctions on Cuba, adding pressure on an economy already weakened by long-running embargo measures, fuel constraints and broader political conflict with Washington. According to Al Jazeera, the State Department announced the action on Thursday, targeting several Cuban companies, Banco Exterior de Cuba, and Fidel Ernesto Castro, the 31-year-old grandson of former leader Raúl Castro.

The article says the latest measures are part of a wider Trump administration campaign that began in January and is aimed at weakening Cuba’s government. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio defended the sanctions as punishment for what he described as mismanagement and repression, while also accusing Havana of exporting harmful ideology. Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez rejected those claims, saying the US was fabricating threats to justify pressure on the island.

Al Jazeera reports that the sanctions cover firms tied to nickel mining, energy and oil imports. This comes as Cuba has tried to ease criticism by introducing pro-market changes, including major reforms in June and new legal changes announced on Thursday that would loosen rules in tourism and make it easier for some domestic investors to access foreign bank accounts.

The article adds that critics, including UN human rights chief Volker Turk, say sanctions and energy restrictions are contributing to severe strain on Cuba’s power grid and healthcare system. The dispute matters because it reflects the deepening economic and diplomatic confrontation between Havana and Washington, with ordinary Cubans bearing much of the impact.