By Caribbean News Global 
CUBA / USA – The US Department of State said on Friday, the United States imposed sanctions on Cuban military and security leaders and units in response to the Cuban regime’s violent suppression of peaceful protesters on and after July 11.
US Department of State said the new sanctions are enacting additional sanctions in connection with this repression, according to Executive Order 13818, which builds upon and implements the Global Magnitsky Human Rights Accountability Act.
Sanctions on Cuban
“We are designating Romárico Vidal Sotomayor García, chief of the Political Directorate of the Cuban Ministry of the Interior (MININT); Pedro Orlando Martínez Fernández, chief of the Political Directorate of the Cuban National Revolutionary Police (PNR); and the Tropas de Prevención (TDP) of the Cuban Ministry of Revolutionary Armed Forces (MINFAR).
“Sotomayor García’s and Martínez Fernández’s “Political Directorates” are tasked by the Cuban government with maintaining loyalty within the ranks of their organizations to the Cuban Communist Party. MININT forces, including the PNR, carried out violent repression of peaceful protestors calling for human rights and fundamental freedoms across Cuba. Indeed, the first secretary of the party and president of Cuba Miguel Diaz-Canel called the party faithful to “combat” against protestors.
“The TDP, also known as “Boinas Rojas” or Red Berets, is a unit of MINFAR’s Directorate for Counterintelligence. During the recent protests, TDP soldiers have been deployed on the streets and have reportedly attacked and beaten protesters, while making violent arrests.
“We stand in solidarity with the courageous Cubans who are protesting for human rights and fundamental freedoms, exercising their rights in the face of repeated oppression and abuse from the Cuban regime. The Cuban people deserve the ability to safely protest against an authoritarian regime and the failed system that has denied them access to basic necessities for decades. The United States supports the people of Cuba in their brave call for freedom as we identify those who oppress them and attempt to maintain a repressive system. We will continue to take actions to promote accountability for the Cuban government’s human rights abuses.”
On July 30, the United States announced additional sanctions in connection with the Cuban regime’s repression of the peaceful protests.
US sanctions Cuban police in response to violent repression of peaceful protests
All property and interests in property of these persons that are blocked pursuant to the CACR continue to be blocked. The CACR prohibits persons subject to US jurisdiction from dealing in property in which Cuba or a Cuban national has an interest, unless authorized or exempt. Additionally, pursuant to the Global Magnitsky Sanctions Regulations, 31 C.F.R. part 583, all property and interests in property of the persons above that are in the United States or in the possession or control of US persons are blocked, and all transactions by US persons or within (or transiting) the United States that involve any property or interests in property of designated or otherwise blocked persons are prohibited unless authorized by a general or specific license issued by OFAC, or otherwise exempt.
These prohibitions include the making of any contribution or provision of funds, goods, or services by, to, or for the benefit of any blocked person or the receipt of any contribution or provision of funds, goods, or services from any such person.
