Cuba slams new US sanctions against state-run firms
Havana, June 24
Cuba denounced the latest sanctions imposed by the United States on five Cuban state-owned entities and a member of the extended family of former Cuban President Raul Castro, arguing the measures aim to further harm the economy.
"The U.S. government, led by its dishonest and mendacious Secretary of State (Marco Rubio), continues to take steps to tighten the noose around Cuba's economy," Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez said on X, referring to the sanctions Washington announced earlier in the day.
These sanctions came as Cuba "has proven to be stronger, more capable, and more effective than he expected in the face of the ruthless aggression and collective punishment against the people and their living conditions," said Rodriguez, adding that "what this individual is pushing for from the world's greatest power is a crime."
The sanctions target five Cuban state-owned entities, three of which are linked to the conglomerate Grupo de Administracion Empresarial S.A. and two are related to the mining and metallurgical sectors, according to a fact sheet published Tuesday by the US Department of State, XInhua news agency reported.
The Trump administration expanded sanctions against Cuba, targeting five entities tied to key sectors of the island's economy and a member of the Castro family as part of what Washington described as a broader effort to choke off revenue flowing to the Cuban government.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced the measures, saying the sanctions were aimed at entities and individuals that "fund, facilitate, or benefit from the regime's malign activities, both in Cuba and across our hemisphere."
The sanctions target three entities linked to Grupo de Administración Empresarial S.A. (GAESA), the military-run conglomerate that Washington describes as the financial backbone of the Cuban government.
"GAESA continues to operate as the financial muscle behind the Cuban regime's repressive security apparatus," Rubio said.
The State Department said two of the sanctioned entities are financial institutions involved in moving money on behalf of the Cuban government, while another is a logistics company that supports operations across the island.
— IANS
Reader Comments
India should stand with Cuba. They have supported us in international forums, including on Kashmir. This collective punishment of an entire nation is unjust. More sanctions won't fix things—dialogue will.
Honestly, I think Cuba's government needs to reform its economy. But these sanctions hurt ordinary Cubans, not the leadership. The US should learn from India's approach—we have differences with neighbors but don't impose such harsh blockades.
Targeting GAESA makes some sense since it's military-run, but going after mining and logistics firms? That's just strangling the economy further. Marco Rubio's personal vendetta against Cuba is well known. Sad to see diplomacy take a backseat.
As someone who follows geopolitics, this feels like the US is repeating Cold War tactics. Cuba has already opened up to private enterprise recently. Instead of punishing, they should engage. The Cuban people deserve better than being pawns in this game. 😔
India should offer more trade and medical support to Cuba. They have excellent doctors and biotech—we can partner with them. Let's show that not everyone follows the US line blindly. Solidarity with the Cuban people! ✊
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