On Thursday, Secretary of State Marco Rubio revealed fresh sanctions against Cuba's military enterprise GAESA, one of its directors, and a state-run mining company. This move is part of the Trump administration's strategy to intensify pressure on Havana's communist regime.
The sanctions are enforced under an executive order signed by Trump on May 1, labeled "Imposing Sanctions on Those Responsible for Repression in Cuba and Threats to U.S. National Security and Foreign Policy."
The entities targeted include the Business Administration Group S.A. (GAESA), its director Ania Guillermina Lastres Morera, and the mining company Moa Nickel S.A. (MNSA).
Rubio described GAESA as "the lifeblood of Cuba's kleptocratic communist system," a conglomerate managed by the Revolutionary Armed Forces that controls between 40% and 70% of Cuba's formal economy, encompassing sectors such as hotels, ports, remittances, and foreign trade.
Lastres Morera is or has been a senior board member of GAESA, according to the State Department's announcement.
Regarding Moa Nickel S.A., Rubio stated that it "has exploited Cuba's natural resources to benefit the regime at the expense of the Cuban people" and profits from assets originally confiscated by the Cuban regime from American citizens and corporations.
The Canadian mining company Sherritt International, a partner of Moa Nickel, had already halted operations in February due to fuel shortages, with no resumption date. Following Trump's sanctions, Sherritt ceased its activities in Cuba on Thursday, depriving the regime of its major mining partner and 10-15% of its electricity generation.
The announcement comes just days after the State Department began assigning personnel to the U.S. Southern Command in Miami, anticipating potential hostilities with Cuba, according to a source cited by Axios.
The State Department is also bolstering its disaster preparedness supply center in southern Florida.
On Wednesday, Rubio was photographed with a map of Cuba at the Southern Command headquarters in Doral, Florida, where he led the 2026 Chiefs of Mission Conference alongside Mike Hammer, chief of mission in Cuba, and General Francis L. Donovan.
Rubio emphasized that these sanctions are "part of the Trump administration's comprehensive campaign to address the urgent national security threats posed by Cuba's communist regime and to hold accountable those who provide it with material or financial support."
He added that "just 90 miles from U.S. shores, the Cuban regime has driven the island into ruin and auctioned it off as a platform for foreign intelligence, military, and terrorist operations."
Since January 2026, the United States has imposed over 240 sanctions on the Cuban regime and intercepted at least seven tankers, cutting the island's energy imports by 80% to 90%.
Neither Trump nor Rubio has ruled out military action, and the Secretary of State warned that "additional designations can be expected in the coming days and weeks."
Frequently Asked Questions About U.S. Sanctions on Cuba
What is GAESA, and why is it targeted by U.S. sanctions?
GAESA is a Cuban military conglomerate that controls a significant portion of Cuba's economy. It is targeted by U.S. sanctions due to its role in supporting the communist regime.
How do the sanctions affect Moa Nickel S.A.?
The sanctions on Moa Nickel S.A. hinder its ability to operate by disrupting partnerships and cutting off a significant portion of Cuba's electricity generation, impacting the regime's economic stability.
What are the implications of U.S. personnel moving to the Southern Command in Miami?
The movement of U.S. personnel to the Southern Command in Miami suggests preparations for potential conflicts with Cuba, aligning with the ongoing strategy to pressure the communist regime.