August 25, 2026

The United States has imposed a new round of sanctions on Cuban officials, state entities and businesses, marking another escalation in the Trump administration’s broader pressure campaign against Havana. The latest measures target organisations across the mining, construction and political sectors, further tightening restrictions on an economy already struggling with shortages and weak external financing.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced that nine state-owned companies involved in mining, metals and construction had been sanctioned, along with Cuba’s Ministry of Construction and officials linked to the Cuban Institute of Friendship with the Peoples. The institute, founded in 1960, has historically been used by the Cuban government to build relationships with foreign organisations and visiting activist groups.

Rubio accused officials connected to the institute of helping organise international delegations to Havana around the centenary of former Cuban leader Fidel Castro’s birth. He also argued that the organisation had been used to advance Cuba’s political influence abroad and to promote anti-American activities.

Among those targeted was Fernando Gonzalez Llort, president of the institute and a former member of the Cuban Five intelligence network. Gonzalez was previously released as part of a prisoner exchange during the Obama administration’s diplomatic opening with Cuba.

The latest sanctions add to existing restrictions on senior Cuban figures across the energy, financial and defence sectors. They also form part of a wider US strategy aimed at limiting the government’s access to revenue and international support, including measures directed at Cuba’s tourism industry and energy supplies.

Cuban officials strongly rejected the new action. Foreign Minister Bruno Rodríguez said the sanctions were designed to damage Cuban companies and place further strain on an already fragile economy. He argued that the measures would make it more difficult for the government to provide basic services at a time when shortages remain severe.

Those economic pressures are already visible across the island. Fuel, medicine and food remain in limited supply, while Cuba’s ageing electricity infrastructure continues to face significant strain. Frequent blackouts have affected households and businesses, while some hospitals have relied on emergency generators to maintain essential services.

The energy situation has been particularly challenging because Cuba remains heavily dependent on imported fuel. Restrictions on oil supplies have therefore compounded existing weaknesses in the power system and increased the risk of prolonged outages.

At the same time, pressure on tourism has reduced another important source of foreign exchange for the Cuban economy. Lower visitor numbers have weakened revenue at a time when the government is already facing limited access to external financing and persistent domestic shortages.

The latest sanctions suggest that Washington intends to maintain a hard-line approach toward Havana. While the United States argues that the measures are intended to constrain the Cuban government and its international activities, Cuban officials maintain that the wider effect is to deepen economic hardship. The result is likely to be continued pressure on growth, public services and household living conditions as bilateral tensions remain elevated.

Source: (BBC)