WASHINGTON: US President Donald Trump signed an executive order on Friday broadening U.S. sanctions against the Cuban government, officials said, in a move aimed at intensifying pressure on Havana following Washington’s actions in Venezuela.
The new measures target individuals, entities, and affiliates linked to Cuba’s security apparatus or accused of corruption and human rights violations, according to U.S. officials. The order also extends to agents and supporters of the Cuban government.
JUST IN: 🇨🇺 PRESIDENT TRUMP announces that the United States will be taking control of Cuba almost immediately. pic.twitter.com/wtGLOIx66e
— Donald J Trump Posts TruthSocial (@TruthTrumpPost) May 2, 2026
A copy of the directive released by the White House indicates the sanctions could apply to “any foreign person” operating in key sectors of the Cuban economy, including energy, defense, mining, financial services, and security.
The order further authorizes so-called secondary sanctions, potentially penalizing companies and financial institutions that conduct or facilitate transactions with targeted entities.
Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel condemned the measures as “coercive,” accusing Washington of reinforcing what he described as a longstanding blockade against the island.
Foreign Minister Bruno Rodríguez said the sanctions amounted to “collective punishment” and vowed that Cuba would not be intimidated.
Analysts say the move represents one of the most significant escalations affecting non-U.S. companies since the decades-old U.S. embargo on Cuba began, potentially exposing foreign banks and firms to penalties if they maintain ties with the Cuban economy.
The sanctions are part of a broader “maximum pressure” strategy by Washington, which has sought to isolate Cuba economically and push for political and economic reforms.
The latest measures come amid deepening economic strain on the island, including fuel shortages and power outages linked to restrictions on oil supplies and reduced international trade.
