The Cuban government denounced new sanctions imposed by the United States as a form of "collective punishment" that deepens economic hardship for the island nation. The sanctions were announced late on April 28 by U.S. President Donald Trump, targeting individuals and entities involved in multiple sectors of Cuba’s state-controlled economy, including energy, defense, metals and mining, financial services, and security.

In an executive order, Trump indicated that these measures aim to pressure Cuban officials accused of human rights abuses and corruption. The announcement came amid heightened rhetoric from Trump, who during an event in Florida stated that the U.S. would be "taking over" Cuba "almost immediately," escalating tensions between the two countries. Cuba lies approximately 145 kilometers (90 miles) from Florida and has been subject to a near-continuous U.S. trade embargo since Fidel Castro’s communist revolution in 1959.

Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez condemned the sanctions on social media, labeling them "illegal," "abusive," and an unjust imposition on the Cuban people. He emphasized the Cuban government’s rejection of what it described as unilateral coercive measures intended to collectively punish the population rather than target specific officials or policies.

The sanctions coincide with ongoing economic difficulties on the island. Since January, Cuba has faced a fuel blockade enforced by the United States, with only a single Russian oil tanker reaching Cuban ports during this period. The shortage of fuel has exacerbated supply disruptions and frequent power outages, while tourism—the country’s primary source of foreign revenue—has sharply declined.

Despite these tensions, there have been recent diplomatic efforts between the U.S. and Cuba, including a visit by senior U.S. officials to Havana for talks in April. However, the new sanctions appear to have overshadowed these engagements.

The sanctions took effect on May 1, a day marked by widespread demonstrations of support for the Cuban government. Massive crowds gathered in Havana and other cities to march under the banner “Defend the Homeland,” with participation from Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel and former revolutionary leader Raul Castro. Diaz-Canel urged citizens to mobilize "against the genocidal blockade and the crude imperial threats" posed by U.S. policies.

Authorities reported having collected over six million signatures in recent weeks in support of the government’s stance on the embargo and U.S. measures, although some critics have questioned the legitimacy of the signature collection process.

The May Day rallies and government statements underscore Cuba’s continued resistance to U.S. sanctions, while also highlighting the growing economic and social pressures facing the island as Washington intensifies its campaign to isolate the Cuban government.