EU envoy says US sanctions in Cuba worsening human rights situation

A special European Union envoy said on Friday that US sanctions are worsening the human rights situation in Cuba while reiterating the EU's call on the communist-run government to release prisoners detained during mass protests in July of 2021. Gilmore told reporters the US sanctions on Cuba, which sharply curtail financial transactions, tourism and trade, had clear impacts on Cuba's economy and society. "It's hurting the human rights situation because it hurts people on the ground. The people who are impacted are ordinary Cuban citizens who have difficulty accessing food, medicines," Gilmore told reporters before departing Havana late on Friday following a packed agenda of meetings.