Secretary of State Marco Rubio has accused Cuba's dictatorship of being a state sponsor of terrorism, alleging it spies on the United States, arms violent radicals, and spreads Marxist ideology. He claims the regime serves as an operational hub for Russia, China, and Iran, situated just 90 miles from U.S. shores.
"The Cuban communist regime acts as a state sponsor of terrorism, utilizing its military and intelligence apparatus to spy on the U.S., provide material support to violent radicals and terrorist groups, and spread a toxic Marxist ideology within our borders," Rubio declared.
U.S. Enforces New Sanctions Against Cuba
The United States announced fresh sanctions targeting the Cuban regime, identifying five entities and eight individuals linked to the importation of foreign arms and military cooperation by the Ministry of the Revolutionary Armed Forces (MINFAR) with Washington's adversaries.
The sanctioned entities include Tecnoimport and Tecnotex, both subsidiaries of the military conglomerate GAESA, along with Duna S.A., the Military Industry Union (UIM), and the Yuri Gagarin Military Industrial Enterprise.
Details of the Sanctioned Entities
Tecnoimport has been implicated in importing military equipment for the MINFAR from China and Russia. Duna S.A. faces similar charges for its role in procuring military supplies from these countries.
The UIM is tasked with producing, repairing, and upgrading Cuban Armed Forces weaponry in collaboration with Russian defense entities, while the Yuri Gagarin Military Industrial Enterprise focuses on maintaining Russian-made helicopters and military aircraft.
Tecnotex is noted for its history of cooperation with North Korea and its ties to defense and security sectors.
Individuals Named in the Sanctions
The eight officials named include Forces Minister Álvaro López Miera and Chief of the General Staff Roberto Legrá Sotolongo. Both were previously sanctioned by the Treasury Department in 2021 for their roles in suppressing the July 11th protests of that year.
Other designated individuals are Roberto Jesús Viciana Mousset, UIM's general director and FAR brigadier general; Heriberto Sánchez Alleyne, Tecnoimport's general director; José Antonio Remón Rodríguez, head of MINFAR's Foreign Relations; Óscar Enrique Biosca Gallego, responsible for MINFAR's Economic Directorate; Mónica Milián Gómez, Cuban military attaché in Russia; and Waldo Pérez Cortés, Cuban military attaché in China.
Context of the Sanctions
The sanctions are based on Executive Order 14404, signed on May 1, 2026, and follow the State Department's report "Cuba: The Capital of 21st Century Communism," which details the regime's alliances with Russia and China, including the provision of military hardware, surveillance technologies, and intelligence operations.
This action is the latest in a series of measures by the Trump administration against Havana throughout 2026. GAESA was sanctioned in May, followed by MINFAR and other entities in June, and additional subsidiaries and regime-linked companies, including the Mariel Container Terminal, in July.
Rubio warned that any foreign bank or company providing services to the sanctioned actors must cease these activities immediately.
"Anyone supporting, sponsoring, or servicing these sanctioned actors risks being sanctioned themselves," wrote the Secretary of State, emphasizing President Trump's "unwavering" determination: The United States will not tolerate a rogue state hosting hostile military, intelligence, and terrorist operations just 90 miles from its territory.
Frequently Asked Questions about U.S. Sanctions on Cuba
What entities have been sanctioned by the U.S. against Cuba?
The U.S. has sanctioned Tecnoimport, Tecnotex, Duna S.A., the Military Industry Union (UIM), and the Yuri Gagarin Military Industrial Enterprise.
Who are the key individuals sanctioned by the U.S.?
Sanctioned individuals include Álvaro López Miera, Roberto Legrá Sotolongo, Roberto Jesús Viciana Mousset, Heriberto Sánchez Alleyne, José Antonio Remón Rodríguez, Óscar Enrique Biosca Gallego, Mónica Milián Gómez, and Waldo Pérez Cortés.