U.S. Sanctions Cuba's President Díaz-Canel Under Expanded Trump Order
On Thursday, June 4, 2026, the U.S. Treasury imposed sanctions on Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel and several family members, sharply escalating pressure on Havana.[1]
The Treasury filing named Díaz-Canel, his wife, Alejandro Castro Espín, his son Raúl Alejandro Castro Calis and two other individuals.[1] The move accompanies newly announced criminal charges against former Cuban leader Raúl Castro.[1] Officials say the actions follow an energy blockade ordered by President Trump that choked off fuel shipments and helped produce severe blackouts, food shortages and economic collapse on the island.[1]
CIA Director John Ratcliffe traveled to Havana on May 14, 2026, to tell senior Cuban officials the U.S. stood ready to expand economic and security engagement if Cuba made "fundamental changes." CBS News But administration officials then tightened pressure through arrests and sanctions rather than immediate engagement.[1] In May, ICE arrested Adys Lastres Morera in Miami after her green card was revoked; she is the sister of Ania Guillermina Lastres Morera, the executive president of GAESA.[1] Sen. Marco Rubio said GAESA controls about 70% of Cuba's economy and holds roughly $18 billion in assets, framing the designations as aimed at those who "direct or fund the regime." CBS News
President Trump told reporters on June 4 that Cuba has "sort of collapsed." CBS News He said the U.S. will "handle that as soon as we've finished" military operations in Iran and added, "I like to do one thing at a time." CBS News PBS described the sanctions as the latest move pressuring the island's leadership.[2]
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📌 Key Facts
- On Thursday, June 4, 2026, a U.S. Treasury filing imposed sanctions on Cuban President Miguel Díaz‑Canel, his wife, Alejandro Castro Espín, his son Raúl Alejandro Castro Calis and two other individuals; see Miguel Díaz‑Canel for details (CBS News).
- The report says President Trump previously ordered an energy blockade that choked off fuel shipments to Cuba, contributing to severe blackouts, food shortages and economic collapse on the island; see the energy blockade coverage (CBS News).
- Trump told reporters on June 4, 2026 that Cuba has "sort of collapsed" and said the U.S. will "handle that as soon as we've finished" military operations in Iran, adding, "I like to do one thing at a time"; see Trump’s remarks (CBS News).
- The article reports the U.S. has announced criminal charges against former Cuban leader Raúl Castro, adding legal pressure alongside the sanctions; see Raúl Castro coverage (CBS News).
- CIA Director John Ratcliffe traveled to Havana on May 14, 2026 for a rare meeting with senior Cuban officials to say the U.S. was prepared to expand economic and security engagement if Cuba makes "fundamental changes"; see John Ratcliffe’s trip (CBS News).
- In May 2026, ICE arrested Adys Lastres Morera in Miami after her green card was revoked; she is the sister of Ania Guillermina Lastres Morera, the executive president of Cuban military conglomerate GAESA—see Adys Lastres Morera’s arrest (CBS News).
- Sen. Marco Rubio asserted that GAESA controls about 70% of Cuba’s economy and holds roughly $18 billion in assets, framing the new designations as targeting those who "direct or fund the regime" and its revolutionary networks; see GAESA comments (CBS News).
📰 Source Timeline (2)
Follow how coverage of this story developed over time
- On Thursday, June 4, 2026, a U.S. Treasury filing imposed sanctions on Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel, his wife, Alejandro Castro Espín, his son Raúl Alejandro Castro Calis, and two other individuals.
- The article details that President Trump previously ordered an energy blockade that choked off fuel shipments to Cuba, contributing to severe blackouts, food shortages and economic collapse on the island.
- Trump told reporters on June 4, 2026, that Cuba has 'sort of collapsed' and said the U.S. will 'handle that as soon as we've finished' military operations in Iran, adding 'I like to do one thing at a time.'
- The article reports that the U.S. has announced criminal charges against former Cuban leader Raúl Castro, adding legal pressure alongside the sanctions.
- CIA Director John Ratcliffe traveled to Havana on May 14, 2026, for a rare meeting with senior Cuban officials to convey that the U.S. was prepared to expand economic and security engagement if Cuba makes 'fundamental changes.'
- The story recounts that last month ICE arrested Adys Lastres Morera in Miami after her green card was revoked; she is the sister of Ania Guillermina Lastres Morera, executive president of Cuban military conglomerate GAESA.
- Rubio asserted GAESA controls about 70% of Cuba’s economy and holds roughly $18 billion in assets, framing the new designations as targeting those who 'direct or fund the regime' and its revolutionary networks.