President Donald Trump signed an executive order Friday expanding U.S. sanctions on Cuba, targeting government officials, individuals accused of corruption, and those operating in the country's energy, defense, or financial sectors. The order also threatens foreign financial institutions with restricted access to U.S. markets if they continue business with Cuban government entities.
The administration framed the sanctions as a means to discourage foreign adversaries from deepening ties with Cuba. Andy Gómez, a professor of Cuban studies at the University of Miami, suggested the move carries broader geopolitical implications, signaling a warning to countries like Russia and China to distance themselves from Cuba.
The sanctions follow months of U.S. pressure on Cuba, including tariffs that have disrupted oil shipments, leading to energy shortages. Trump has not ruled out military action, while Secretary of State Marco Rubio has called for economic and political reforms in Cuba. Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel condemned the sanctions on X, calling them "coercive measures" designed to intimidate the country. The sanctions were announced as former Cuban President Raúl Castro made a rare public appearance during Cuba's May Day parade, which some analysts view as a show of strength.