The U.S. Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) sanctioned Fidel Ernesto Castro Calis, the grandson of Cuban leader Raúl Castro, on Thursday, as part of the Trump administration’s escalating measures to increase political, social, and economic pressure on Cuba.
The Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) added Fidel Ernesto Castro Calis to its ‘blacklist,’ along with several state-linked entities, including the Foreign Bank of Cuba (BEC) and Comercial Cupet, which handles import and export operations for Cuba’s petroleum sector.
Additionally, Cuban companies specialized in the management, logistics and exploitation of key sectors of its economy, such as the technical and industrial services sector, the technological equipment for energy infrastructure and the import of raw materials and machinery for nickel and cobalt processing like Nicarotec, Abapet and Cexni were also sanctioned.
RELATED: U.S. Imposes New Coercitive Sanctions Targeting Cuba Medical Services and Energy
The OFAC action targets Castro Calis under Executive Order 14404, which authorizes sanctions against adult members of the Castro family. This sanction follows a similar one imposed on Castro Calis’ brother, Raúl Alejandro Castro Calis, on June 4.
These sanctions prohibit all transactions and business dealings involving U.S. persons or entities with these designated individuals and entities. Following this, the designated individuals and companies are subject to restrictions on their operations within the U.S. financial system, and any assets under U.S. jurisdiction are blocked.
The inclusion of the Foreign Bank of Cuba (BEC) points to the circuit through which the Cuban government conducts operations related to foreign trade and international transactions, in a move which is part of a broader strategy by the Trump administration to increase political, social, and economic pressure on Cuba.
U.S. Secretary of State, Marco Rubio, argued that the decision is part of a policy aimed at putting pressure on the economic structures that, according to Washington, sustain the Cuban government.
Marco Rubio:
Today I’ve designated a grandson of Raúl Castro, Fidel Ernesto Castro Calis, Banco Exterior de Cuba, and four entities that are part of the corrupt Castro financial and intelligence network.
President Trump and I are unwavering in our commitment that Cuba will be… pic.twitter.com/vknqDuh1aA
— Clash Report (@clashreport) September 3, 2026
In parallel with the new designations, OFAC issued the General License 4A, which authorizes certain operations of diplomatic and consular missions of third countries in Cuba, which allows these representations to continue operations necessary for their functioning despite the new sanctions package.
Systematic Pressure Against Cuba
The sanctions come amid heightened tensions between the U.S. and Cuba. On January 29, President Donald Trump issued an Executive Order declaring a “national emergency” due to the alleged “unusual and extraordinary threat” posed by Cuba to U.S. national security and the region. The order accuses Cuba of aligning with “hostile” countries, harboring transnational terrorist groups, and allowing Russia and China to deploy advanced military and intelligence capabilities on the island.
In May 2026, the U.S. Department of Justice indicted former Cuban President Raúl Castro and five other officials for the 1996 downing of two civilian aircraft belonging to the terrorist organization Brothers to the Rescue, which incident resulted in the deaths of three U.S. citizens and one U.S. resident.
Castro and the other defendants were charged with conspiracy to kill U.S. citizens, destruction of aircraft, and multiple counts of homicide. This indictment highlights the longstanding animosity between the two countries and the complex historical context in which these sanctions are being imposed.
Cuba has consistently rejected these allegations, with President Miguel Díaz-Canel describing the latest sanctions as evidence of the “fascist, criminal, and genocidal nature” of the Trump administration. The escalating tensions have led to threats of retaliatory measures from Cuba, which has vowed to defend its territorial integrity.
#Cuba | President Miguel Díaz-Canel has denounced escalating U.S. pressure as restrictions continue to affect fuel, energy and essential supplies on the island.
As Washington intensifies sanctions, what are the human costs of economic coercion?#UnitedStates #Sanctions… pic.twitter.com/XD1ImzQNUg— teleSUR English (@telesurenglish) August 19, 2026
Economic and Political Pressure
The sanctions are part of a broader campaign by the Trump administration to tighten the economic noose around Cuba. Previous measures have included imposing tariffs on countries that sell oil to Cuba and threatening reprisals against those who defy U.S. sanctions. The latest round of sanctions targets not only key figures within the Cuban government but also critical economic sectors, aiming to further isolate Cuba from the international community.
The move to sanction Fidel Ernesto Castro Calis and other key figures highlights the Trump administration’s strategy of applying maximum pressure on Cuba. By targeting high-profile individuals and critical economic entities, the U.S. aims to weaken the Cuban government’s ability to maintain its grip on power and to force concessions.
The sanctions come as Cuba faces a severe energy crisis -consequence of previous sanctions-, with the country experiencing constant blackouts due to a lack of electricity. The Trump administration’s decision to prorogue the oil sanctions until September 2027 further exacerbates the economic and humanitarian challenges facing the Cuban people.
International Reaction and Humanitarian Concerns
The U.S. blockade on Cuba has been a contentious issue on the international stage. The UN General Assembly has repeatedly passed resolutions condemning the coercive measures, calling for its immediate end. The international community has consistently criticized the unilateral sanctions as a violation of Cuba’s sovereignty and a hindrance to its economic development.
Human rights organizations have also voiced their concerns about the impact of the blockade on the Cuban people on access to basic services, such as healthcare and education, and have called for its lifting.
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