The United States government has imposed visa sanctions on Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel and other senior officials, including the ministers of Defense and the Interior, for their roles in the repression of the anti-government protests that took place on July 11, 2021. This marks the first time the U.S. has sanctioned Díaz-Canel directly. The sanctions, announced by U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, accuse the Cuban leadership of gross human rights violations during the crackdown on the protests, which resulted in over 1,400 detentions. In addition to visa restrictions, 11 military-run hotels in Cuba have been blacklisted. The move coincides with the fourth anniversary of the historic protests, which were unprecedented in Cuba's recent history. Cuban authorities have condemned the sanctions, and Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro expressed solidarity with Díaz-Canel. The Cuban president has responded to the sanctions, which come amid ongoing international scrutiny of Cuba's human rights record.