US Expands Sanctions to Include Cuba's Construction Ministry in OFAC List

The United States government intensified its sanctions campaign against the Cuban regime on Thursday by adding the Ministry of Construction (MICONS) to the Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons List, commonly known as the SDN list, managed by the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC).

On August 20, the Treasury Department updated the list to include eight Cuban state enterprises and three officials connected to the Cuban Institute of Friendship with the Peoples (ICAP), as part of the sanctions program linked to Executive Order 14404.

By designating MICONS, the U.S. has effectively blocked its assets and interests that may be located in the United States or under the control of U.S. persons, requiring them to report to the OFAC. Generally, American individuals and companies are prohibited from engaging in transactions with this entity unless a specific license or authorization is granted.

Established in May 1963 and currently led by René Mesa Villafaña, the Ministry oversees state policies related to construction, playing a key role in Cuba's strategic economic sectors.

State Enterprises Added to the Blacklist

The latest sanctions extend beyond MICONS, as the U.S. has also targeted other entities such as Acinox Comercial, ACOREC S.A., CORATUR S.A., TRANSIMPORT, CONSUMIMPORT, the Ernesto Che Guevara Nickel Enterprise, METALCUBA, and GEOMINSAL.

These designations broaden U.S. restrictions to activities spanning foreign trade, tourism, the steel industry, transportation, and mining. Notably, the Ernesto Che Guevara Nickel Enterprise in Moa, Holguín, a significant player in Cuba's export sector, is among those sanctioned.

METALCUBA and GEOMINSAL, connected to the metallurgical and mining sectors, have also been included. Additionally, CORATUR, TRANSIMPORT, and CONSUMIMPORT have been identified for their ties with the Foreign Trade Business Group.

Being on the SDN list imposes hurdles that extend beyond direct U.S. operations. International banks and companies often exercise increased caution with OFAC-designated entities to avoid exposure to U.S. sanctions.

ICAP Officials Face Sanctions

Three officials from the ICAP have also been sanctioned by the OFAC. Fernando González Llort, ICAP's president since 2017 and one of the five Cuban spies convicted in the U.S. for his involvement in the so-called Wasp Network, is among those listed.

Leima Martínez Freire and Noemi Ramona Rabaza Fernández have also been designated. The update includes additional addresses linked to ICAP, such as the Friendship House in El Vedado, the Salvador Allende Memorial House, and the Julio Antonio Mella International Camp in Caimito, Artemisa.

Washington Tightens Pressure on Cuban State Structures

The measures announced on Thursday mark another step in the Trump administration's maximum pressure campaign against Cuba's economic, military, and government structures.

This offensive took on new dimensions with Executive Order 14404, signed by Trump on May 1, which expanded Washington's tools to sanction Cuban entities and apply pressure on foreign actors maintaining certain operations with designated individuals or institutions.

Since then, sanctions have targeted various aspects of Cuba's state apparatus. In June, entities such as GAESA, the Ministry of the Interior (MININT), the Ministry of the Revolutionary Armed Forces (MINFAR), ICAP, and Miguel Díaz-Canel were designated. By July, measures extended to the Ministry of Tourism and Rapid Response Brigades, while early August saw further additions related to the military-industrial complex, including Tecnoimport and the Union of Military Industry.