The United States on Thursday sanctioned Cuba's Raul Castro together with his children as it continues to pile pressure on Havana to end its support for the government of Nicolas Maduro in Venezuela.

"As First Secretary of Cuba's Armed Forces, Castro is responsible for Cuba's actions to prop up the former Maduro regime in Venezuela through violence, intimidation, and repression," Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said in a statement.

Pompeo reiterated his country's stand that the government of Maduro is illegitimate and was involved in human rights abuses.

"In concert with Maduro's military and intelligence officers, members of the Cuban security forces have been involved in gross human rights violations and abuses in Venezuela, including torture."

Pompeo noted that the sanctioned persons were ineligible to enter the U.S.

Raul Castro, 88, served as president of Cuba for ten years until April 2018, after which he was replaced with Miguel Díaz-Canel.