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The United States (US) has sanctioned Raul Castro’s grandson, Fidel Ernesto Castro Calis, and five state-linked entities, escalating pressure on Cuba’s communist government.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced the sanctions on Thursday, describing them as part of Washington’s pressure campaign against Cuba.
“Among those designated today are a grandson of Raul Castro, Fidel Ernesto Castro Calis, Banco Exterior de Cuba, and four entities exploiting Cuba’s natural resources or energy reserves for the benefit of the regime,” Rubio said.
Raul Castro no longer holds an official government position but remains an influential figure in Cuba.
Washington filed criminal charges against him earlier this year and imposed further sanctions on members of his family in June.
Fidel Ernesto Castro Calis is not known to hold a political role in Cuba.
His parents have already been sanctioned by the United States.
His father, Alejandro Castro Espin, is Raul Castro’s only son and played a key role in secret talks that led to the restoration of diplomatic relations between Cuba and the US in 2015.
Cuba has been under a US trade embargo since 1962, but President Donald Trump has sharply increased pressure on the island in recent months.
The Trump administration has cut off fuel supplies and threatened to take over Cuba, deepening the country’s economic crisis.
Trump has also repeatedly threatened to remove Cuba’s leadership since the US military operation that ousted Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro in January.
US officials and businesspeople have previously met other members of the Castro family, including Raul Castro’s grandson Raul Guillermo Rodriguez Castro.
Banco Exterior de Cuba, one of Thursday’s sanctioned entities, is a state-owned bank focused on international transactions, trade financing and corporate banking.
Other sanctioned entities operate in Cuba’s nickel and cobalt industries, while two work closely with state-owned energy company CUPET.
