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U.S. Hits Raúl Castro And His Children With Visa Restrictions

WLRN Public Media | By Nora Gámez Torres
Published September 26, 2019 at 3:47 PM EDT
Nicolás Maduro (left) and Raúl Castro during a rally in Havana in 2015.
ALEJANDRO ERNESTO
/
EFE
Nicolás Maduro (left) and Raúl Castro during a rally in Havana in 2015.

The United States sanctioned Raúl Castro and his close family members on Thursday for their involvement in “gross violations of human rights,” Secretary of State Mike Pompeo announced on Twitter.

“The Cuban regime’s disregard for human rights and use of violence to prop up the former Maduro regime are responsible for the ongoing crises in Cuba and Venezuela,” he added.

Raúl Castro ceded the presidency in April 2018 to Miguel Díaz-Canel, but remains at the head of Cuba’s Communist Party, the armed forces and in charge of the most important government decisions.

The State Department also sanctioned Castro’s children: Alejandro Castro Espín, Deborah Castro Espín, Mariela Castro Espín and Nilsa Castro Espín.

The sanction implies that Castro, 88, and his children will not be able to travel to the United States.

Read more at our news partner the Miami Herald. 

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