US imposes sanctions against grandson of Raul Castro

The US has imposed sanctions against the grandson of Raúl Castro

The United States has announced new sanctions against Fidel Ernesto Castro Calis, the grandson of former Cuban President Raúl Castro. Five entities linked to the Cuban authorities also fell under the restrictions.

The 31-year-old Castro Calis was added to the sanctions list. According to the US side, the basis for this was that he is an adult family member of Alejandro Castro Espín — the son of Raúl Castro, who is already under sanctions. At the same time, according to media reports, Castro Calis himself does not hold any political positions.

The restrictions also affected the state-owned Banco Exterior de Cuba, two companies associated with nickel and cobalt mining, as well as two energy sector entities, including Empresa Importadora de Abastecimiento para el Petroleo (Abapet), which is involved in supplying equipment for the oil industry.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated that the new measures target financial and resource entities that support the Cuban authorities. The sanctions entail freezing the assets of the restricted individuals and entities within US jurisdiction, as well as prohibiting US citizens and companies from conducting transactions with them.

The new restrictions represent the latest step by the Donald Trump administration to increase economic pressure on Cuba. Previously, Washington had already imposed sanctions against members of the Castro family and other representatives of the Cuban authorities.

Earlier, the US removed Syria from the list of state sponsors of terrorism, where the country had been since 1979. This decision opens up opportunities for Damascus to attract private investment and integrate into the global economy, although a number of US sanctions against specific individuals and entities remain in place.