**Title: US Imposes New Sanctions on Cuba's Tourism Ministry and State-Owned Companies**
**Date: July 13, 2026**
The United States Department of the Treasury has announced a new set of sanctions targeting Cuba's Ministry of Tourism and several state-owned enterprises, a move that underscores the escalating tensions between Havana and Washington, DC. The sanctions, which were made public on Monday, specifically involve the Ministry of Tourism and two key state-owned companies: Grupo Empresarial de Transporte Maritimo Portuario (GEMAR) and Grupo Empresarial del Comercio Exterior (GECOMEX).
These sanctions come as part of a broader strategy by the US government to apply pressure on the Cuban regime. The Treasury Department has set a deadline of August 12 for companies and financial institutions engaged with the sanctioned entities to terminate existing contracts to avoid facing sanctions themselves.
The recent sanctions follow an executive order issued in May, which empowered the US government to freeze assets belonging to individuals and organizations that support the Cuban government and its economy. This order also intensified scrutiny on banks that engage with Cuban entities, further tightening the economic noose around the island nation.
During a recent interview on Fox Business, United Nations Ambassador Mike Waltz characterized the Cuban government as a "national security threat." He also accused Russia and China of gathering intelligence around US military bases in Cuba, suggesting a broader geopolitical concern that extends beyond Cuba's borders.
The sanctions are part of a series of pressures that have been mounting on Cuba, particularly in light of its ongoing energy crisis. The island recently experienced its fourth nationwide blackout of the year, affecting over 10 million residents. This blackout was reported as the second major outage within a single week, highlighting the severe impact of the US oil blockade, which has significantly disrupted Cuba's electricity supply.
Cuba has faced challenges in securing fuel, particularly after the US's abduction of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro in January, which severed a critical supply line. Venezuela had been Cuba's primary fuel supplier, and following US pressure, Mexico also ceased oil shipments to the island.
In response to the sanctions and the ongoing energy crisis, Cuba's Minister of Foreign Affairs, Bruno Rodriguez Parrilla, condemned the US actions as "an act of collective punishment" and a "systematic violation of the human rights of an entire people." During a recent debate at the United Nations General Assembly, Parrilla highlighted the extensive damage caused by US embargoes, estimating that between March 2025 and February 2026, these measures resulted in losses amounting to $8 billion. He emphasized the severe repercussions of the fuel blockade on the Cuban population.
As the situation evolves, the implications of these sanctions and the ongoing energy crisis will likely continue to affect the daily lives of Cubans, as well as the broader geopolitical landscape in the region. The US government's stance reflects a continuing commitment to exert pressure on the Cuban regime, while Cuban officials maintain that such measures are detrimental to the welfare of their citizens.