The US State Department announced new economic sanctions on Thursday, targeting several Cuban companies, including those in nickel mining and energy sectors, a state-owned bank, and Fidel Ernesto Castro, grandson of former leader Raul Castro. This comes as the Trump administration continues its heightened campaign to weaken Cuba's government. In response, Cuba announced further pro-market reforms on Thursday, with 34 pages of legal changes designed to loosen regulation and state control in industries like tourism, allowing private companies to establish tour agencies and making it easier for some domestic investors to open foreign bank accounts.