United States imposes new sanctions on Cuban officials and state entities
In a strategic move within its foreign policy, the United States government has announced the imposition of new sanctions against three high-ranking officials and nine Cuban state entities. This measure, which impacts key sectors such as mining, foreign trade, and metallurgy, seeks to intensify pressure on Havana to foster political and economic transformations on the island.
The State Department confirmed that these actions are part of a comprehensive effort to neutralize the Cuban regime’s activities, both within its borders and throughout the rest of the hemisphere. Among the affected organizations, the Ministry of Construction stands out, along with companies strategic to the island’s economy.
Officials pointed out
The list of designated individuals includes executives from the Cuban Institute of Friendship with the Peoples (ICAP), an organization that already had previous restrictions. The sanctioned officials are:
- Fernando González Llort, director of ICAP.
- Noemí Rabaza Fernández, first vice president.
- Leima Martínez Freire, director for North America.
The Cuban regime has spent decades using front groups to infiltrate, corrupt, and radicalize Americans. The identified entities sustain and fund the regime’s repressive apparatus.
Secretary of State, Marco Rubio
Entities under restrictions
In addition to the Ministry of Construction, the U.S. administration has targeted a conglomerate of companies that facilitate the commercial and financial flow of the Cuban government. Among them are:
- Comandante Ernesto Che Guevara Nickel Company.
- Metalcuba Import and Export.
- Geominero Salinero Business Group (Geominsal).
- Acinox Comercial.
- Central Company for Supply and Sales of Heavy Transport Equipment and Parts (Transimport).
- General Goods Trading Company (Consumimport).
- The trade manager Coratur and the agency Acorec.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio warned about the repercussions for third parties that decide to collaborate with these entities. According to the official, foreign financial institutions and companies that maintain services or hold funds for these sanctioned actors risk being subject to punitive measures by Washington.
Context of diplomatic pressure
These sanctions are in addition to a recent history of measures taken by the current U.S. administration, which include actions against President Miguel Díaz-Canel and criminal charges against Raúl Castro. Washington’s stance remains firm, emphasizing that there will be no concessions or truces in its policy of pressure to demand radical changes in the Cuban system of government.
The U.S. government reiterates that the island’s authorities should not wait for the current term to end to see relief in restrictions, making it clear that the central objective remains the dismantling of the structures that, in the White House’s view, sustain the current regime.
