The US Treasury Department announced sanctions on Cuba’s Ministry of Tourism and two state-owned companies, Grupo Empresarial de Transporte Maritimo Portuario (GEMAR) and Grupo Empresarial del Comercio Exterior (GECOMEX), on Monday, July 13, 2026. The directive aims to restrict operations linked to Cuba’s tourism administration and affiliated maritime transport and trade sectors.
Companies and financial institutions doing business with GEMAR, GECOMEX, or the Ministry of Tourism must wind down contracts by August 12, 2026, to avoid facing penalties under these sanctions. The measures follow a US executive order issued in May 2026 authorizing asset freezes on individuals or organizations supporting
Cuba’s government or economy.
Impact of US Oil Blockade and Blackouts
The sanctions coincide with a US oil blockade against Cuba imposed after the January 2026 abduction of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro. Venezuela’s role as Cuba’s main fuel supplier ended after the incident, while Mexico ceased oil shipments following US pressure. These actions contributed to widespread electricity blackouts across Cuba, affecting more than 10 million people during a national outage just days before the sanctions announcement. This blackout was the second nationwide power failure that week and the fourth in 2026.
Official Statements on Security and Human Rights
United Nations Ambassador Mike Waltz described Cuba’s regime as a “national security threat” during a Fox
Business interview and accused Russia and China of gathering intelligence near US military bases in Cuba. In a UN General Assembly debate, Waltz urged Cuba’s government to reverse course and restore power to its population.
Cuba’s Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez Parrilla condemned the US sanctions and related statements as collective punishment and a systematic violation of human rights. He cited US embargoes from March 2025 to February 2026 as causing $8 billion in economic damages, emphasizing the severe impact of the fuel blockade on Cuba’s economy.
