The United States Department of State yesterday announced sanctions against 11 Cuban officials and three government entities as part of what it described as an expanded campaign targeting the communist government of Cuba.

The measures were implemented under Executive Order 14404, which authorises sanctions against individuals and entities linked to repression in Cuba and threats to US national security.

Among the entities sanctioned are Cuba’s Ministry of Interior, the National Revolutionary Police and the Directorate of Intelligence of Cuba.

US officials accused the Ministry of Interior of overseeing the country’s police, intelligence agencies, internal security forces and prison system, while the National Revolutionary Police was accused of operating mobile prisons and violently suppressing protests.

The sanctions also target several senior Cuban officials, including Minister of Justice Rosabel Gamon Verde, Minister of Communications Mayra Arevich Marin, Minister of Energy and Mines Vicente de la O Levy and senior Communist Party official Roberto Tomas Morales Ojeda.

Other sanctioned officials include senior military and security figures connected to Cuba’s armed forces, police and military counterintelligence agencies.

According to the US State Department, all property and interests belonging to the sanctioned individuals and entities within the United States, or under the control of US persons, will be blocked and reported to the Office of Foreign Assets Control.

The measures also prohibit US persons from engaging in transactions involving the sanctioned parties unless authorized by the US government.

Washington said foreign individuals and financial institutions conducting business with those sanctioned under the order could themselves face sanctions exposure.

The Trump administration said the measures form part of a broader effort to counter the Cuban government and those providing it with material or financial support.

The US also reiterated that sanctions can be lifted if there are changes in behaviour by sanctioned individuals or entities.