The United States government announced on Friday that it would impose sanctions on Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel and several high-ranking officials in response to human rights violations, coinciding with the anniversary of the largest protests in Cuba in recent decades. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio shared this update on the social media platform X, stating that the State Department would also restrict visas for Cuban judicial and prison officials complicit in the unjust detention and torture of protesters who took to the streets in July 2021.
The protests, which occurred on July 11 and 12, 2021, were notable for being spontaneous and not led by any organized opposition group. They arose from widespread dissatisfaction with Cuba's economic crisis, exacerbated by recurring power outages, and highlighted the struggles faced by ordinary citizens. The U.S. government's response emphasizes its commitment to supporting human rights and fundamental freedoms for the people of Cuba, stressing that dictatorial regimes are unwelcome in the Western hemisphere.
In addition to Díaz-Canel, the sanctions extended to Cuban Defense Minister Álvaro López Miera and Interior Minister Lázaro Álvarez Casas. This decision represents a continuation of the more aggressive stance taken by the Trump administration against the Cuban government, contrasting with the more tempered approach of the current Biden administration.
Following the U.S. announcement, Johana Tablada, deputy director of the U.S. department within the Cuban Foreign Ministry, criticized Rubio, labeling him a "defender of genocide, prisons and mass deportations." The Cuban government had previously characterized the protests as influenced by a U.S. media campaign and attributed their causes to the longstanding economic embargo imposed by the United States.
The protests in 2021 resulted in one fatality and led to various instances of vandalism during some demonstrations. Human rights organizations reported that over 1,000 individuals were arrested, while the Cuban government refrained from providing any official figures on these detentions. Subsequently, in 2022, Cuban prosecutors disclosed that about 790 individuals were being investigated for various offenses associated with the protests, which included charges of disorder, sabotage, and vandalism.
The advocacy group 11J, named in reference to the protests, indicated that by the end of 2022, there were 554 individuals serving sentences for their involvement in the protests. Some of those sentenced received conditional releases in January after an appeal from Pope Francis, reflecting ongoing international concerns regarding human rights conditions in Cuba.
This latest action by the U.S. government underscores the complex and often contentious relationship between the United States and Cuba, particularly regarding issues of governance and human rights. The sanctions could further complicate diplomatic relations, which have fluctuated over the years amidst various administrations, all while highlighting the enduring impact of Cuba's internal strife on its citizens and the global community.
