US expands sanctions on Cuban firms and officials

In a push to curb Cuba’s funding of "subversive anti‑American activities", the United States has announced a new set of economic sanctions targeting nine state‑owned mining, metal and building firms, the Ministry of Construction and key officials linked to the Cuban Institute of Friendship with the Peoples (ICAP).

Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the designations signal that the Biden administration will not allow the Cuban regime to spread Marxist ideology or finance repression.

Cuban officials, including Foreign Minister Bruno Rodríguez, have condemned the move as an attempt to punish the nation’s economy, citing worsening shortages of fuel and energy and the recent oil blockade that has left hospitals relying on emergency generators.

These latest sanctions add to a growing list of U.S. actions that already target Cuba’s energy, finance and defence ministries, and they raise concerns about further curtailing the island’s dwindling tourism revenue.

Meanwhile, protests over frequent power cuts have begun to erupt in Cuba, a rare public dissent in a country where criticism is typically met with harsh penalties.