US slaps new sanctions on Cuba

WASHINGTON, Oct 19 (AP): The United States on Friday imposed new sanctions on Cuba over its support for Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and its human rights record at home.

The Department of Commerce said in a statement it is revoking existing licenses for aircraft leases to Cuban state-owned airlines and will deny future applications for aircraft leases. It will also expand the sanctions on Cuba to include more foreign goods containing US contents.

Washington said the measures seek to hold the Cuban regime accountable for repressing its own people and for providing support to the Venezuela's government, which it accuses of human rights abuses and collapsing the country's economy.

Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel rejected the decision and on Twitter called it "inhumane, cruel, unfair and genocidal."