US imposes sanctions on Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel, Revolutionary Armed Forces Ministry

The United States has imposed sanctions on Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel, along with four other individuals and five entities, including the Ministry of the Revolutionary Armed Forces. The U.S. Treasury Department announced the action on Thursday, marking the latest move by Washington to intensify pressure on the island's communist government.

Diaz-Canel, 60, has held the position of president since 2018, succeeding Raul Castro. The sanctions come as U.S. President Donald Trump stated that the U.S. desires Cuba to be "a nicely run country."

Last month, the U.S. government also sanctioned 11 Cuban officials. This group included the country's communications minister, several military leaders, and its primary intelligence agency. The U.S. has also previously charged Raul Castro with murder, alleging his involvement in a 1996 incident where Cuban jets shot down planes belonging to a group of Cuban exiles.

The Cuban government had not immediately responded to a request for comment regarding the new sanctions. The U.S. actions signal a continued strategy of economic and political pressure aimed at influencing the leadership and policies of the Cuban state.