Archive · 4 Sep 2026
US sanctions Raul Castro’s grandson and five Cuban companies
The United States announced new punishments against a member of Raul Castro’s family and five Cuban companies.
The punishments are called sanctions, which can make it harder for people or businesses to use money and trade internationally.
The United States said the Castro family and Cuban leaders benefit while ordinary Cubans suffer.
It also accused Cuba’s government of supporting terrorist groups and limiting human rights.
Cuba said the United States is causing the country’s problems and making unfair accusations.
Restrictions on oil shipments have contributed to power outages across Cuba, according to the report.
The United Nations warned that the situation could become a humanitarian crisis.
Cuba introduced new rules to attract foreign investment, trade and tourism while facing the economic pressure.
The United States sanctioned Fidel Ernesto Castro, Raul Castro’s 31-year-old grandson, citing his family ties to sanctioned Castro members.
The measures also targeted Banco Exterior de Cuba and four companies in Cuba’s nickel-mining and energy sectors.
The Trump administration said the sanctions are intended to pressure Cuba’s Communist government and its elites.
The United Nations warned that oil restrictions have worsened Cuba’s blackouts, transportation problems and healthcare access.
Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez blamed Washington for Cuba’s crisis and rejected claims that Cuba threatens U.S. security.
- Who
- The United States, Fidel Ernesto Castro, five Cuban companies, Cuban officials and the United Nations.
- What
- The United States imposed sanctions on Fidel Ernesto Castro and five Cuban companies, including a state-owned bank.
- When
- Thursday, Sept. 3; the article does not specify the year.
- Where
- Cuba and the United States.
- Why
- The U.S. said the sanctions respond to alleged enrichment by Cuban elites, support for terrorist groups, human-rights restrictions and efforts to change Cuba’s power structure; Cuba rejected those claims.
U.S. rationale
Cuban response
Responsibility for Cuba’s crisis
U.S. rationale
The U.S. administration said Cuba’s Communist elites preside over a failed state and enrich themselves at ordinary people’s expense.
Cuban response
Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez said Washington is responsible for the crisis and is fabricating threats posed by Cuba.
Security and terrorism claims
U.S. rationale
Washington said Cuba supports terrorist groups, restricts human rights and poses a national-security threat.
Cuban response
Rodriguez said Cuba does not threaten U.S. national security or the U.S. economy and rejected the accusation that Cuba sponsors terrorism.
Purpose of sanctions
U.S. rationale
The Trump administration said economic pressure is intended to pressure Cuba’s government and change its current power structure.
Cuban response
Cuba’s government opposed the U.S. pressure and introduced rules intended to attract foreign investment, trade and tourism.
- Sanctioned individual
- Fidel Ernesto Castro, 31, Raul Castro’s grandson
- Sanctioned companies
- Five Cuban companies
- Bank targeted
- Banco Exterior de Cuba, a state-owned Cuban bank
- Industries targeted
- Nickel mining and energy, including an oil import company
- U.S. justification
- Washington cited alleged elite enrichment, human-rights restrictions, alleged support for terrorist groups and the export of Marxist ideology.
- Humanitarian warning
- The United Nations warned that Cuba’s worsening conditions could become a humanitarian crisis.
- Cuban response
- Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez said Washington was responsible for the crisis and that Cuba does not threaten U.S. national security or its economy.