The United States Department of the Treasury sanctioned Cuba’s Ministry of Tourism along with two state-owned companies, Grupo Empresarial de Transporte Maritimo Portuario (GEMAR) and Grupo Empresarial del Comercio Exterior (GECOMEX), on July 13, 2026. The Treasury published the directive on its website, targeting entities integral to Cuba’s tourism infrastructure and maritime and foreign trade sectors.
Companies and financial institutions with existing business ties to GEMAR and GECOMEX are required to terminate contracts by August 12, 2026, to avoid sanctions. This move follows a May 2026 executive order granting US authorities the power to freeze assets of entities supporting Cuba’s
government or economy, while increasing pressure on banks working with Cuban organizations.
Geopolitical Context and Effects
The sanctions come amid broader US measures against Cuba, including an oil blockade imposed after the US abducted Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro in January 2026. Venezuela, the primary fuel supplier to Cuba, ceased shipments, and Mexico halted oil deliveries under US pressure. The fuel blockade has resulted in significant electricity shortages affecting over 10 million Cubans. A nationwide blackout occurred last Friday prior to the sanctions, marking the second such outage that week and the fourth in 2026.
Official Statements and Accusations
United Nations Ambassador Mike Waltz described the Cuban regime as
a “national security threat” and accused Russia and China of gathering intelligence near US military bases in Cuba. Waltz publicly urged Cuba to change its policies to restore electrical service to its population. Meanwhile, Cuba’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Bruno Rodriguez Parrilla, condemned the US sanctions and associated comments, labeling them “an act of collective punishment” and “a systematic violation of the human rights of an entire people.” He cited US embargo damages totalling $8 billion between March 2025 and February 2026, in addition to the severe impact from the oil blockade.
No detailed information has been released regarding the
operational effects of these sanctions on Cuba’s tourism operations or traveler services.
