The US president, Donald Trump, issued new economic sanctions against Cuban civilians, officials and companies, by signing an executive order this Friday, May 1, according to the Reuters news agency. The measure also contemplates secondary punishments for those who make transactions with those sanctioned. The text accuses Havana of aligning itself with Iran and Hezbollah, added the White House sources who spoke on the condition of anonymity.
First modification: 05/01/2026 - 20:16
In an attempt to exert greater pressure on Havana, the President of the United States, Donald Trump, signed an executive order this Friday, May 1, that expands Washington's sanctions against the Cuban Government, two White House officials told the Reuters news agency.
The new sanctions target entities, people and state employees identified as collaborators with the security apparatus of the Cuban Government or who are "complicit" in corruption or serious violations of human rights, the officials explained.
In addition, the order contemplates secondary punishments for carrying out or facilitating transactions with the sanctioned persons, the sources added to the British agency.
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As of noon this Friday, the number of people or entities sanctioned under the order was not known. The officials cited by Reuters commented that the measure contained an implicit warning to Cuba, accusing the Government of having aligned itself with Iran and militant groups such as Hezbollah.
"Cuba offers a favorable environment for hostile foreign intelligence, military and terrorist operations less than 160 kilometers from US territory," declared one of the officials, in line with what was stated last Tuesday, April 28, by the US Secretary of State, Marco Rubio, who accused the Castro government of facilitating the presence of "enemy" intelligence services.
However, Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodríguez rejected that hypothesis hours later, accusing Washington of "fabricating pretexts with weak and fallacious arguments."
"Cuba is a peaceful country that does not attack others, does not allow its territory to be used against others and has a clean record against terrorism, international organized crime and violence," wrote the head of Cuban diplomacy on his social networks.
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Trump tightens the siege against Havana
This Friday's new sanctions constitute the Trump Administration's last direct attack against Cuba, a country that the Republican has repeatedly referred to as a place on the verge of collapse.
Washington imposed sanctions and increased pressure against the island earlier this year, when it stopped Venezuelan oil exports to Cuba after overthrowing Nicolás Maduro in the early hours of January 3.
Trump subsequently signed an executive order threatening to impose tariffs on any other country that supplied oil to Cuba, prompting Mexico, another major supplier, to halt shipments to the Latin American nation.
Fuel shortages in the country contributed to three major nationwide blackouts and caused many foreign airlines to suspend flights to the island. In addition, essential services, such as health and education, have been compromised.
Under President Trump, US forces have launched attacks on vessels off the coast of Venezuela and entered Caracas to capture Maduro. Furthermore, together with Israel, they have waged a war against Iran since February 28, now under a fragile truce.
Trump has declared that "Cuba is next," without specifying what plans he has for the island.
The United States has long demanded that Cuba open its state economy, pay reparations for property expropriated by the government of then-President Fidel Castro and hold "free and fair" elections. For its part, Havana has declared that its socialist form of government is non-negotiable.
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