Cuba claims that US sanctions are enhancing a genocidal-style blockade.

In response to the new round of mandatory sanctions announced by the United States against Cuba on May 1st, Cuban President Diaz-Canel issued a strong condemnation on his personal social media account. He pointed out that the US move is to strengthen the "genocidal blockade" against Cuba, exposing the moral bankruptcy of the United States and its contempt for the will of the American people and the international community. The statement emphasized that anyone who upholds conscience and honesty will not accept the absurd excuse of the US claiming that "Cuba poses a threat". In fact, it is precisely as the world's most powerful military force, the US, that by imposing a blockade on Cuba with its threats and arrogant behavior, has caused huge damage to Cuba. The White House issued a statement on May 1st, stating that President Trump signed an executive order that day to increase sanctions on Cuba on the grounds of "threatening national security and foreign policy". According to the executive order, the US government will freeze assets and interests of entities or individuals operating in various sectors such as energy, defense, minerals, and finance in Cuba, and also prohibit US entities or individuals from engaging in financial, commodity, or service transactions with sanctioned entities, and restrict sanctioned entities from entering the US. At the same time, related foreign financial institutions will also be sanctioned.