The United States has enacted fresh sanctions targeting Cuban officials and entities associated with the government’s operations, according to Secretary of State Marco Rubio.
A total of nine state-controlled enterprises in mining, metallurgy, and construction, along with the Ministry of Construction and affiliated officials from a state-backed international organization, have been included in the latest sanctions package.
Rubio stated that these individuals and groups are linked to efforts to advance the Cuban regime’s agenda, which he described as promoting “Marxist ideology, racial division, and communist extremism globally.”
The Cuban government has strongly criticized the sanctions, labeling them as punitive measures that exacerbate economic hardships.
Rubio emphasized that the targeted entities support the regime’s suppression efforts and its long-standing subversive activities against the United States.
The Cuban Institute of Friendship with the Peoples (ICAP), established in 1960 by Fidel Castro, was among the designated groups. Rubio accused ICAP of spreading misinformation and engaging in espionage activities.
Fernando Gonzalez Llort, ICAP’s president and a former member of the Cuban 5 spy network involved in a prisoner swap during the Obama administration, is one of the key figures sanctioned.
Entities in Cuba’s energy, finance, and defense sectors, as well as its tourism industry—already in decline—face heightened restrictions.
Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez denounced the sanctions on X, asserting they aim to “harm” domestic companies and further destabilize the economy.
Rodriguez warned that the measures could hinder the government’s ability to provide essential services, as the population already grapples with severe shortages.
The U.S. has maintained an oil embargo on Cuba since early 2023, forcing hospitals to rely on emergency power sources due to the country’s aging energy infrastructure.
Power outages have sparked rare public demonstrations, where dissent is typically met with strict punitive responses.
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