Diplomacy & Geopolitics
Raul Castro grandson, Cuban entities hit by US sanctions
The United States imposed sanctions Thursday on Fidel Ernesto Castro Calis, a grandson of former Cuban leader Raul Castro, and five Cuban state-linked entities, the State Department said.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the designations included Banco Exterior de Cuba and four entities tied to Cuba's natural resources or energy reserves. Rubio said the entities exploited those resources for the benefit of Cuba's government.
Raul Castro, 95, no longer holds an official post but remains influential in Cuba. Washington filed criminal charges targeting him this year.
The United States also imposed sanctions in June on members of Castro's family, as well as President Miguel Diaz-Canel and his family. Fidel Ernesto Castro Calis is not known to play a political role, and his parents have already been sanctioned.
His father, Alejandro Castro Espin, is Raul Castro's only son and was involved in the secret talks between Cuba and the United States that led to the re-establishment of diplomatic relations in 2015.
Banco Exterior de Cuba is a state-owned bank focused on international transactions, trade finance and corporate banking. The other sanctioned entities include companies linked to nickel and cobalt, as well as two that work closely with the state-owned energy company CUPET.
Cuba has been under a US trade embargo since 1962, and President Donald Trump's administration has increased pressure on the island in recent months.
Update
Raul Castro is 95, no longer holds an official position and remains influential in Cuba.
Washington filed criminal charges targeting Raul Castro this year.
The United States issued earlier sanctions in June against members of Castro's family, President Miguel Diaz-Canel and his family.
Fidel Ernesto Castro Calis is not known to play a political role and his parents have already been sanctioned.
His father, Alejandro Castro Espin, was involved in secret negotiations that led to restored US-Cuba diplomatic relations in 2015.
Banco Exterior de Cuba focuses on international transactions, trade finance and corporate banking.
The other sanctioned entities include companies linked to nickel and cobalt and two that work closely with state-owned energy company CUPET.
Source note: AFP news report published on 3 September 2026 at 16:48:52 UTC.
Update
The sanctioned grandson was identified as Fidel Ernesto Castro Calis.
The State Department said Banco Exterior de Cuba and four entities linked to Cuba's natural resources or energy reserves were also designated.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio issued a statement describing the sanctions.
Source note: AFP news report published on 3 September 2026 at 16:16:33 UTC.
Source
AFP news report published on .