The Cuban government has firmly rejected the recent sanctions levied by US President Donald Trump.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n Published On 2 May 2026<\/span>2 May 2026<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n The Cuban government has firmly rejected new sanctions levied by United States President Donald Trump, calling them \u201cunilateral coercive measures\u201d intended to impose \u201ccollective punishment on the Cuban people\u201d.<\/p>\n In a post on social media on Friday, Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez said that \u201cthese measures are extraterritorial in nature and violate the United Nations Charter\u201d, while further asserting that the US \u201chas no right whatsoever to impose measures against Cuba or against third countries or entities\u201d.<\/p>\n list of 3 items<\/span>end of list<\/span><\/section>\n \u201cWhile the US government represses its own people in the streets, it seeks to punish ours, who are heroically resisting the US imperialism\u2019s attacks,\u201d the foreign minister said.<\/p>\n The Cuban minister\u2019s remarks came hours after the White House signalled a further hardening of its policy towards the Caribbean island.<\/p>\n Earlier on Friday, Trump issued an executive order to expand sanctions on the Cuban government, according to two White House officials who spoke to the Reuters news agency. The move serves as an effort by Washington to ramp up pressure on Havana following the abduction of Venezuela\u2019s President Nicolas Maduro in January by US forces and Trump\u2019s recent warning that \u201cCuba is next\u201d.<\/p>\n The new US sanctions focus on individuals and groups that help the Cuban government\u2019s security forces, according to Reuters.<\/p>\n The measures also target those involved in corruption, serious human rights abuses, or anyone working as an official or supporter of the Cuban government.<\/p>\n It remains unclear exactly which individuals or entities are affected by the new restrictions. However, a White House statement said, without evidence, that the Caribbean island serves as a \u201csafe haven for transnational terrorist groups\u201d such as the Lebanese armed group Hezbollah.<\/p>\n The Trump administration has recently threatened Cuba with military attacks in addition to greater economic pressure.<\/p>\n![](\"https:\/\/www.aljazeera.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/2017-06-08T131939Z_1189275883_RC11B0FE7F20_RTRMADP_3_GULF-QATAR-JAZEERA-1714943623.jpg?resize=96%2C96&quality=80)
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