Biden imposes sanctions on Cuba's Black Berets special forces and defense ...

Biden imposes sanctions on Cuba's Black Berets special forces and defense ...
Biden imposes sanctions on Cuba's Black Berets special forces and defense ...

President Biden's administration on Thursday unveiled sanctions on officials in Cuba's communist regime who violate human rights during the biggest protests in decades

President Biden's administration on Thursday unveiled sanctions on officials in Cuba's communist regime who violate human rights during the biggest protests in decades

The Biden administration on Thursday imposed sanctions on a feared Cuban special forces unit and top security official following the brutal crackdown on anti-government protesters.

Documents on the Treasury Department website showed the measures targeted an Interior Ministry brigade known popularly as the 'Boinas Negras' - or Black Berets.

They have been at the forefront of rounding up protesters and journalists during some of the biggest protests in decades.  

The second target for sanctions is Álvaro López Miera, Minister of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Cuba. 

The moves represent the first steps taken by the Biden administration to apply pressure to Havana amid growing calls from the Cuban-American community and lawmakers to show greater support for protesters. 

President Biden condemned 'mass detentions and sham trials' for people who had the bravery to speak out.

'Today, my administration is imposing new sanctions targeting elements of the Cuban regime responsible for this crackdown - the head of the Cuban military and the division of the Cuban Ministry of the Interior driving the crackdown - to hold them accountable for their actions,' he said. 

'This is just the beginning - the United States will continue to sanction individuals responsible for oppression of the Cuban people.'  

He said his administration was working with partners to secure the release of political prisoners, protect internet access for Cubans and prevent remittances - cash sent by Cubans working in America - falling into regime hands. 

The sanctions were brought under the Global Magnitsky Human Rights Accountability Act, which allows action against any foreign person identified in human rights abuses or corruption.

But with an existing economic embargo that bars Americans from doing business with Cubans or Cuban entities the new sanctions will be unlikely to impact the assets of the Black Berets or Miera.

The National Special Brigade of the interior ministry - popularly known as the Black Berets or the 'Boinas Negras' - have been at the forefront of a government crackdown on protests

The National Special Brigade of the interior ministry - popularly known as the Black Berets or the 'Boinas Negras' - have been at the forefront of a government crackdown on protests

Special forces troops patrol at Prado Avenue following the protests in Cuba, Havana on July 21

Special forces troops patrol at Prado Avenue following the protests in Cuba, Havana on July 21

Cubans have described how the Boinas Negros are rounding up protesters. In a video posted on social media, a woman named Marbelis Vazquez in Cuba, recorded the moments they entered her home. She said they shot her husband and took him away in a wheelbarrow, leaving a puddle of blood inside her home, with her children present

Cubans have described how the Boinas Negros are rounding up protesters. In a video posted on social media, a woman named Marbelis Vazquez in Cuba, recorded the moments they entered her home. She said they shot her husband and took him away in a wheelbarrow, leaving a puddle of blood inside her home, with her children present

Alvaro Lopez Miera, Minister of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Cuba, was also sanctioned by the Biden administration on Thursday. He is seen her casting his vote in April 2015

Alvaro Lopez Miera, Minister of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Cuba, was also sanctioned by the Biden administration on Thursday. He is seen her casting his vote in April 2015

Biden told Democratic Cuban-American activists on Wednesday that he would target individuals and bring in measures to help residents get access to internet during the uprising against the government. A man is arrested during a pro-Revolution demonstration in Havana on July 17, 2021

Biden told Democratic Cuban-American activists on Wednesday that he would target individuals and bring in measures to help residents get access to internet during the uprising against the government. A man is arrested during a pro-Revolution demonstration in Havana on July 17, 2021 

Graphic accounts of alleged abuses have emerged from the protests. 

A video posted on social media by a woman named Marbelis Vazquez apparently showed the moments when the Boinas Negras entered her home.

She said they shot her husband and took him away in a wheelbarrow, leaving a puddle of blood inside her home, according to an account published by WPLG in Miami. 

The family of Henry Constantin, a 37-year-old journalist who runs a publication called La Hora de Cuba, also said he was taken by the unit. 

'They put him in handcuffs and took him away,' Maria Ferreiro told WPLG

She added that he was taken to his home were they seized the equipment he uses for his job as a journalist. 

'I’m afraid for his life. I’m desperately worried,' she added.

Conservative strategists questioned whether the new sanctions would have any impact given the existing embargo.

Giancarlo Sopo, who was rapid response director fo Spanish-language media on President Trump’s re-election campaign, said: 'US law already prohibits transactions with the Cuban military. The Cuban military does not have property in the US.'

But a sanctions expert said the repercussions of such a public naming and shaming would be felt in a country that relies on anonymity and a 'just following orders' mentality. 

'As a practical matter there's little that will change in their financial life,' said a Cuban-American lawyer, who spoke on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of sanctions cases.

'But put yourself in their shoes, you have have now been identified in a very public way.

The result could be internal pressure for moderates to take control, he added. 

Cuba's foreign minister Bruno Rodriguez took to Twitter to reject the sanctions as 'unfounded and slanderous.' 

'It should rather apply unto itself the Magnitsky Global Act for systematic repression and police brutality that took the lives of 1021 persons in 2020,' he said.       

Protesters have gathered daily outside the White House demanding the Biden administration does more to support them in their campaign for freedom and economic support

Protesters have gathered daily outside the White House demanding the Biden administration does more to support them in their campaign for freedom and economic support

Part of the strategy - including staffing up the embassy in Havana, working on improving internet accessibility, and expediting humanitarian aide - was laid out in a Twitter thread by Julie Chung, acting assistant secretary at the State Department

Part of the strategy - including staffing up the embassy in Havana, working on improving internet accessibility, and expediting humanitarian aide - was laid out in a Twitter thread by Julie Chung, acting assistant secretary at the State Department

Cuba's foreign minister condemned the sanctions saying Washington should look closer to home when thinking about repression and police brutality

Cuba's foreign minister condemned the sanctions saying Washington should look closer to home when thinking about repression and police brutality

Thousands of Cubans launched anti-government demonstrations a week ago amid an economic crisis that has emptied store shelves and triggered power cuts. 

Human rights groups estimate 500 to 600 people have been detained as part of an ongoing crackdown by communist authorities. 

Protesters have also gathered for days outside the White House seeking American help. 

Officials say they are planning a range of measures, including coordinating more international pressure on the regime in Havana.     

'The Cuban people are protesting for the fundamental and universal rights they deserve from their government,' said Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen as the sanctions were unveiled. 

'Treasury will continue to enforce its Cuba-related sanctions, including those imposed today, to support the people of Cuba in their quest for democracy and relief from the Cuban regime.'

The aggressive action will likely irk progressive Democrats, including Bernie Sanders and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, who have blamed the US embargo for the uprising. 

But it was welcomed by activists.

'No administration has ever announced that they will hold each individual who violates human rights on the island of Cuba accountable', Miami political operative Sasha Tirador told Politico

Republicans including Florida Governor Ron Desantis and Marco Rubio have demanded Biden intervene in the Cuba crisis and have upped calls for the administration to help restore internet to the citizens. 

They have urged Biden to approve a serious of

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