US hits Cuba with new sanctions over human rights, Venezuela

Department said it will restrict Cuba's access to commercial aircraft by revoking existing licences for aircraft leases to Cuban state-owned airlines & denying future applications for aircraft leases

The United States is imposing new sanctions on Cuba over its human rights record and its support for Venezuela’s government, the US Commerce Department said on Friday.

In a statement, the department said it will restrict Cuba’s access to commercial aircraft by revoking existing licences for aircraft leases to Cuban state-owned airlines and denying future applications for aircraft leases.

The United States will also expand sanctions to include more foreign goods containing US content and impose additional restrictions on exports to the Cuban government, the statement said.

"This action by the Commerce Department sends another clear message to the Cuban regime — “