Trump imposes new sanctions on Cuban officials
Investing.com -- President Donald Trump signed an executive order on Friday imposing new sanctions on entities and individuals supporting Cuba's security apparatus or involved in government corruption and serious human rights violations, according to a White House fact sheet. The White House did not identify the specific targets of the sanctions.
The executive order allows the State Department and Treasury Department to impose additional economic penalties on anyone linked to those sanctioned under the order.
Trump has threatened action against Cuba's government as part of a broader U.S. effort to restrict the island's access to fuel and financing. Cuba, which has been under a U.S. embargo for decades, has experienced widespread blackouts in recent weeks following disruptions to crude oil and fuel shipments.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio previously told Fox News that Cuba represents a national security threat because it had "rolled out the welcome mat to adversaries" of the U.S. Washington has accused Havana of providing access to Chinese and Russian forces in the hemisphere.
On Wednesday, Cuba's top diplomat accused Washington of attempting to create a pretext for overthrowing the government in Havana.
