The Trump administration levied new sanctions on Cuba, Venezuela and Nicaragua on Wednesday, using the language of the Cold War — and of President Trump’s 2020 reelection campaign — in a vow to combat socialism, communism and human rights abuses. The heaviest measures were directed at Cuba. Trump’s three immediate predecessors in office had suspended that right, sustaining a 1996 law containing Cuba sanctions, on the grounds that it would interfere with trade and national security. It has already placed sanctions on Venezuela’s state oil company, as well as companies and ships carrying Venezuelan oil to Cuba. He also said that he hoped the measures would force the Cuban government to stop interfering in Venezuela.

Source: Washington Post April 17, 2019 18:19 UTC