Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodríguez Parrilla has voiced his response to a fresh wave of sanctions imposed by the Trump administration targeting Cuban entities and officials. He accused Secretary of State Marco Rubio of intentionally trying to undermine the island's economy and obstruct the government's ability to provide essential services to its citizens.
In a statement shared on his X account, Rodríguez claimed that these measures hinder the transportation of containers carrying food, medicines, and medical devices, which are "largely purchased by Cuban private small and medium-sized enterprises."
New Sanctions Target Cuban State Companies and Individuals
The latest series of designations, announced by the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) of the U.S. Department of the Treasury, added eight Cuban state companies to the SDN list: Acinox Comercial, Acorec, Coratur, Transimport, Consumimport, the Comandante Ernesto Che Guevara Nickel Company, Metalcuba, and Geominsal.
Additionally, the Ministry of Construction was sanctioned, along with three individuals connected to the Cuban Institute of Friendship with the Peoples (ICAP).
Fernando González Llort Among Those Sanctioned
One of the individuals designated is Fernando González Llort, who has been the president of ICAP since 2017. González Llort was part of the Cuban espionage network known as "Avispa," which operated within the United States and was dismantled by the FBI. He served time in U.S. prisons and was released in December 2014 as part of the normalization agreement between Havana and Washington under the Obama administration.
ICAP had already been sanctioned as an entity on June 4, 2026, under Executive Order 14404 signed by Trump on May 1 of that year, which expanded pressure on sectors such as energy, defense, mining, metals, and financial services linked to Cuba.
Rodríguez Condemns Sanctions as Part of Rubio's "Failed Obsession"
Rodríguez described the inclusion of ICAP on the list of sanctioned entities as part of Rubio's "failed obsession" and defended the institution as an organization that "for over six decades has promoted friendship, international solidarity, justice, and peace."
The foreign minister contrasted this portrayal with what he called the "corrupt policy" of the Secretary of State, maintaining a tone that has characterized his responses to each round of sanctions throughout 2026.
The Trump-Rubio administration's sanctions campaign against Cuba has been the most intense in decades. Its high points include the designations of GAESA and Moa Nickel in May, CUPET in June, the Ministry of Tourism in July, and Cuban military entities on August 6, when Washington targeted companies linked to arms imports and military cooperation.
Contradicting Claims Over Humanitarian Exemptions
The State Department maintains that the sanctions include explicit exemptions for food, medicines, and medical devices, directly contradicting the Cuban foreign minister's primary argument.
Nevertheless, Rodríguez emphasized that the measures impact the civilian population during a period when basic services "are already in a critical situation," referring to the island's economic decline after years of regime management.
Former spy Fernando González Llort had previously challenged Rubio publicly in the weeks following the initial sanctions against ICAP as an institution, a stance the Cuban regime has woven into its narrative of resistance against U.S. pressure.
Understanding the Impact of U.S. Sanctions on Cuba
What are the main accusations made by Bruno Rodríguez against Marco Rubio?
Bruno Rodríguez accuses Marco Rubio of deliberately trying to damage Cuba's economy and obstructing the government's ability to provide essential services, such as food and medicine, to its citizens.
Who was Fernando González Llort, and why is he significant?
Fernando González Llort is the president of ICAP and a former member of the Cuban espionage network "Avispa." His involvement in espionage activities in the U.S. and subsequent imprisonment make him a notable figure in the context of U.S.-Cuba relations.
What exemptions do the U.S. sanctions supposedly include?
According to the U.S. State Department, the sanctions include explicit exemptions for food, medicines, and medical devices, suggesting that humanitarian needs should not be impacted by these measures.