US Expands Sanctions on Cuban State Entities

The US has expanded its sanctions on Cuban state entities by adding the Ministry of Tourism and several other government organizations to its sanctions list, intensifying pressure on Havana.

The US Treasury Department said the newly sanctioned entities also include a state-owned foreign trade company, a government-owned ports and shipping holding company, and other Cuban state institutions.

Tourism is one of Cuba's most important economic sectors and a key source of foreign currency. The sanctions generally prohibit US individuals and businesses from dealing with the listed entities and freeze any assets they hold in the US.

Washington also imposed sanctions on two pro-government organizations: the Rapid Response Brigades, which human rights groups say have repeatedly been used to suppress anti-government protesters, and the Territorial Troops Militia, a volunteer force that supports Cuba's armed forces.

US-Cuba relations have remained strained since the 1959 Cuban Revolution. The US trade embargo, imposed more than six decades ago, remains in place.

Since returning to office, President Donald Trump has increased pressure on Cuba through additional sanctions. Last week, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio urged Havana to implement sweeping reforms, while Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel rejected US claims that Cuba poses a national security threat, arguing that the US is the real source of instability.