The United States Department of the Treasury imposed sanctions on Cuba’s Ministry of Tourism and two state-owned Cuban companies on July 13, 2026. The maritime transport company Grupo Empresarial de Transporte Maritimo Portuario (GEMAR) and the foreign trade enterprise Grupo Empresarial del Comercio Exterior (GECOMEX) were also targeted. Businesses and financial institutions with existing contracts involving these entities have until August 12, 2026, to cease dealings without facing penalties.
These sanctions follow a May 2026 executive order that expanded United States government authority to freeze US-based assets of individuals or organizations supporting the Cuban government or its economy. The measure
also increased pressure on financial institutions engaging with Cuban state-owned entities, aiming to restrict economic activities tied to Cuba’s government.
US Official Accusations and Security Concerns
United Nations Ambassador Mike Waltz described Cuba’s regime as a “national security threat” during a Fox Business interview. Waltz further accused Russia and China of conducting intelligence operations near U.S. military installations in Cuba. In remarks at the United Nations General Assembly, Waltz urged Cuba’s authorities to reverse their policies amid ongoing electricity outages nationwide.
Impact of Oil Blockade on Cuba’s Electricity
More than 10 million Cuban residents were affected by a widespread blackout on the Friday before July 13, marking the second all-island outage that week
and the fourth in 2026. The blackouts result from a US-imposed oil blockade on Cuba, implemented after the United States abducted Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro in January 2026. Venezuela historically supplied the majority of Cuba’s fuel, but Mexico halted its oil shipments under US pressure, intensifying the energy shortages and infrastructure disruptions on the island.
Cuba’s energy crisis has deepened amid the sanctions and blockade, affecting vital services and population centers.
Cuba’s Response and Embargo Damage Estimates
Cuba’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Bruno Rodriguez Parrilla, condemned the US sanctions as “an act of collective punishment” and described them as a systematic breach of human rights affecting
the entire Cuban population. Rodriguez Parrilla cited an $8 billion economic loss attributed to the US embargo between March 2025 and February 2026. He also highlighted the compounded impact of the fuel blockade on Cuba’s fragile economy and infrastructure.
