Trump Expands Sanctions on Cuba

US President Donald Trump has signed an executive order expanding sanctions against the Cuban government, two White House officials told Reuters. The move is intended to increase pressure on Havana following the ouster of Venezuela’s leader.

The new measures target individuals, entities and affiliated organizations that support the Cuban government’s security apparatus or are complicit in corruption or serious human rights abuses. They also apply to agents, officials and supporters of the government, the officials said.

The regulation authorizes secondary sanctions on those who conduct or facilitate transactions with designated persons, according to the officials.

Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez said the measures, announced during the island’s traditional May Day celebrations, were intended to impose “collective punishment on the Cuban people” and that Cubans would not be intimidated.

(reuters)