The US State Department announced new sanctions on Monday against Cuban private and public entities, as well as paramilitary groups on the communist island.
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The latter target “pillars” of the Cuban government and the private sector, explained American diplomacy in a press release, in particular the Ministry of Tourism and companies specializing in the import-export of fuel.
Paramilitary groups, some dependent on the Ministry of the Armed Forces, and described as “instruments of repression” by the US State Department, are also concerned.
Several of the sanctioned entities are linked to the Cuban military conglomerate, Gaesa, which controls many strategic sectors of the island’s economy and is itself under U.S. sanctions.
The entities targeted by these new sanctions have their property confiscated in the United States and are prohibited from any commercial relations with companies or individuals on American territory.
Washington’s measures against the Ministry of Tourism represent a new threat for foreign hotel groups, such as the Spanish chains Melia and Iberostar. The latter withdrew from the management of hotels owned by Gaesa at the beginning of June, but maintained their activities in establishments administered by the Ministry of Tourism.
“The announcement, on July 13, of additional coercive measures is clear proof of the criminal and genocidal intent with which the American leaders are determined to punish the entire population of the country,” Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez reacted on X.
In addition to the American embargo in force since 1962, Washington – which does not hide its desire to see a change of regime in Havana – has imposed an oil blockade on Cuba since January, having since authorized the arrival of a single Russian tanker.
Last week, the island suffered two general power outages. The dilapidated Cuban electricity network regularly experiences general or partial power cuts, but these have worsened since the American blockade which prevents deliveries of fuel used to power generators.
