Trump tightens grip on Cuba, sweeping new sanctions target global financial links
U.S. President Donald Trump has signed a sweeping executive order expanding sanctions on Cuba, intensifying pressure on the government in Cuba amid a deepening humanitarian crisis.
The new measures broaden existing sanctions to target individuals and entities linked to the Cuban government, including officials, agents, and those providing material or financial support. The order also applies to individuals accused of corruption or serious human rights violations, as well as those connected to Cuba’s security apparatus.
In a significant escalation, the executive order seeks to restrict Cuba’s access to the global financial system by introducing secondary sanctions. These measures allow the United States to penalize foreign individuals, companies, and financial institutions that engage in transactions with sanctioned Cuban entities, according to international news agencies.
The order authorizes action against foreign banks that facilitate substantial transactions tied to the Cuban government, potentially freezing assets or cutting off access to U.S. financial markets.
According to the White House, the move is aimed at countering what it described as Cuba’s “malign influence,” citing national security concerns and accusing Havana of supporting hostile actors and contributing to regional instability.
Meanwhile, Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel has acknowledged that while dialogue with Washington is possible, reaching an agreement would be difficult under current conditions.
