The United States has imposed fresh sanctions on 11 Cuban regime elites and three government organizations, including government officials and military figures associated with Cuba’s security apparatus, intensifying pressure on Havana over allegations of repression and threats to US national security.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the people linked to Cuba’s communist regime have been sanctioned who have been suppressing the Cuban people and supporting hostile activities in the Western Hemisphere.
Announcing the measures, the Trump Administration said the action is part of a broader campaign to curb the Cuban regime’s access to illicit assets, promote democracy and human rights in Cuba, and hold accountable those providing material support to the government.
The US statement underscored that Cuba continues to “try to thwart United States efforts to address threats to the United States posed by hostile countries, transnational terrorist groups, and malign actors, including in the Western Hemisphere.”
Rubio said that the action has been taken pursuant to President Trump’s Executive Order 14404 of May 1, 2026, and these sanctions advance the Trump Administration’s comprehensive campaign to address the pressing national security threats posed by Cuba’s communist regime and to hold accountable both the regime and those who provide it material support.
He pointed out that the regime-aligned actors, such as those designated today, bear responsibility for the suffering of the Cuban people, the failing Cuban economy, and the exploitation of Cuba for foreign intelligence, military, and terror operations.
Today’s designations further restrict the “Cuban regime’s ability to suppress the will of the Cuban people.”
He also mentioned that additional sanctions actions can be expected in the following days and weeks.
The Department’s action is being taken pursuant to Executive Order (E.O.) 14404, which authorizes sweeping sanctions on Cuba, including persons who support the Cuban regime’s security apparatus and those responsible for repression in Cuba and threats to U.S. national security.
This action also furthers both Executive Order 14380, “Addressing Threats to the United States by the Government of Cuba,” and National Security Presidential Memorandum 5 (NSPM-5), which directs the Executive Branch to improve human rights, encourage the rule of law, foster free markets and free enterprise, and promote democracy in Cuba. See related Fact Sheet.
Trump declared a national emergency with respect to Cuba, stating, “The policies, practices, and actions of the Government of Cuba constitute an unusual and extraordinary threat, which has its source in whole or substantial part outside the United States, to the national security and foreign policy of the United States.”
The regime aligns itself with and provides support for numerous hostile countries, transnational terrorist groups, and malign actors adverse to the United States, including the Government of the Russian Federation (Russia), the People’s Republic of China (PRC), the Government of Iran, Hamas, and Hezbollah, while also enabling intelligence and military activities considered detrimental to U.S. interests.
The order states that Cuba has hosted foreign intelligence infrastructure, strengthened defense cooperation with adversarial nations, and supported activities aimed at undermining U.S. sanctions and regional stability.
The order accused the Cuban communist regime of human rights abuses, suppression of free speech and press, persecution of political opponents, and destabilizing the Western Hemisphere through migration and violence.
As part of the measures, the administration authorized the possible imposition of additional tariffs on goods imported into the United States from countries that directly or indirectly supply oil to Cuba. “The order empowers the Secretaries of Commerce and State to identify such countries and recommend punitive trade actions. The administration said the move is intended to pressure the Cuban government economically while holding accountable countries and entities that support Havana’s energy sector,” the order added.
Further, contrary to the interests and foreign policy of the United States, the Cuban communist regime supports terrorism and destabilizes the region through migration and violence. The communist regime persecutes and tortures its political opponents; denies the Cuban people free speech and press; corruptly profits from their misery; and commits other human-rights violations.
The executive order further grants broad authority to U.S. agencies to implement sanctions, monitor foreign governments’ dealings with Cuba, and recommend additional measures if necessary. The order took effect on January 30, 2026, and signals that further sanctions and trade restrictions could follow in the coming weeks.
