Washington is tightening pressure on Havana, targeting a network tied to military supplies from abroad as tensions with Cuba reach a new level.
n U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced the sanctions on the U.S. Department of State website.n
On August 6, the United States imposed sanctions on five entities and eight individuals linked to the procurement of weapons abroad for Cuba’s Ministry of the Revolutionary Armed Forces and the country’s intelligence services. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced the sanctions.
the Cuban communist regime is a state sponsor of terrorism
– Marco Rubio
According to the U.S. secretary of state, the sanctions were imposed under an executive order by President Donald Trump allowing for tighter restrictions on Cuba.
Those Targeted and the Sanctions
The sanctions list includes, among others, the Yuri Gagarin Military-Industrial Enterprise, which repairs military helicopters and aircraft, including those of Russian origin. Four other organizations involved in supplying weapons, including from Russia, were also added to the list.
Among the individuals sanctioned are Minister of the Revolutionary Armed Forces Álvaro López Miera, Chief of the General Staff Roberto Legra Sotolongo, Cuba’s military attaché in Russia Mónica Milian Gómez, as well as the military attaché in China, officials from the Ministry of the Armed Forces, and company executives.
Context and Consequences
Since Donald Trump returned to the White House, relations between Washington and Havana have deteriorated. At the beginning of 2026, the United States imposed an oil blockade on Cuba. As a result, the country found itself in its worst economic crisis in decades. Washington has also brought criminal charges against former Cuban leader Raúl Castro and said it is seeking to remove Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel from power.
These U.S. actions reflect growing tensions in bilateral relations and an effort to pressure the Cuban government.