Washington, Sept. 18 -- The United States Department of State has announced a fresh round of sanctions designating 11 key actors within Cuba's economic and security apparatus, accusing the nation's ruling regime of diverting critical national resources away from everyday citizens to line the pockets of a corrupt military elite.

The latest action targets four state-run enterprises exploiting Cuba's nickel reserves, four military entities engaged in military research and development, and three senior military officials.

Outlining the rationale for the enforcement measures, the State Department condemned Havana's leadership for driving economic hardship across the island.

"For decades, the Cuban regime has channeled all of the island's re...