US Sanctions Cuban Military Corporation

The United States has imposed new sanctions on Cuba’s Gaesa conglomerate, which controls a large share of the island’s economy, along with foreign companies linked to its operations. The measures, part of a broader pressure campaign, prompted Canadian firm Sherritt to exit the country. Cuban officials condemned the move, while Washington signaled further sanctions may follow. Make us preferred on Google Share Facebook X (Twitter) LinkedIn Bluesky Email Copy Copied The Russian oil tanker Anatoly Kolodkin is seen at the oil terminal in the port of Matanzas, northwestern Cuba, on March 31, 2026. (Photo by Yamil LAGE / AFP) Content Share Facebook X (Twitter) LinkedIn Bluesky Email Copy Copied Flip Make us preferred on Google The United States has imposed new sanctions on Cuba’s military‑linked business conglomerate and foreign firms, stepping up pressure on Havana as part of a broader economic campaign. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced the measures on Thursday, targeting the Gaesa conglomerate, which controls 40% of Cuba’s economy, as well as a joint venture involving Canadian mining company Sherritt. Follow our coverage of the war on the @Kyivpost_official . The sanctions were carried out under an executive order signed by President Donald Trump last week, which expands the risk of penalties for foreign banks and companies engaging with sectors linked to Cuba’s state‑run economy, according to AFP. Rubio said the measures are designed to disrupt financial flows benefiting Cuba’s leadership rather than its population. “Just 90 miles from the American homeland, the Cuban regime has brought the island to ruin and auctioned off the island as a platform for foreign intelligence , military and terror operations,” Rubio said. “Additional designations can be expected in the following days and weeks,” he warned. Rubio said that Gaesa was “designed to generate income not for the Cuban people, but only for the benefit of its corrupt elite.” The sanctions also target Brigadier General Ania Guillermina Lastres Morera, president of Gaesa. A Miami Herald investigation based on purported leaked documents estimated that Gaesa had $18 billion in assets in early 2024, in line with the level of expenditure by the state itself. Other Topics of Interest Drone Crashes in Latvia, Ukrainian Blitz near Moscow, and Kremlin’s Hit List in Kyiv – Ukraine Latest, May 7 Russia warned diplomats in Kyiv ahead of its Victory Day parade while rejecting Ukraine’s ceasefire proposal. Ukraine and Russia exchanged massive drone attacks, including strikes near Moscow and in Perm. Some Russian cities canceled parades amid security fears, while renewed US-Ukraine peace talks loom and Kyiv considers major domestic security law changes. Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodríguez condemned the new measures on X , calling them “collective punishment” and accusing the United States of pursuing a hostile policy toward the Cuban population. In a separate development, Canadian mining firm Sherritt announced it was withdrawing from its operations in Cuba, citing the sanctions’ impact on its ability to continue business. The company has been involved in mining nickel and cobalt through joint ventures with the Cuban state. Rubio accused the company of benefiting from resources tied to assets previously nationalized by the Cuban government. Sherritt said the restrictions could affect financing and support from partners, forcing an immediate halt to its activities. The sanctions pressure follows earlier US moves to tighten energy and trade restrictions on Cuba, including limits on oil supply. Trump has previously halted oil shipments from Cuba’s main supplier, Venezuela , and threatened other countries with tariffs if they sought to make up the shortfall.