U.S. Expands Sanctions on Cuban Military-Run Businesses and a Canadian Joint Venture
The Trump administration announced additional sanctions on Thursday targeting a business empire run by Cuba's military and a joint venture with Canada. The move comes amid heightened U.S. intelligence flights near Cuba, a near-total fuel blockade since January and public threats from President Donald Trump. Cuban officials vowed retaliation against any military action while the U.N.
newser.comU.S. imposed additional sanctions on a business empire run by Cuba's military and a joint venture run with Canada. The measures were announced on Thursday. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio commented on the sanctions.
The son of Cuban immigrants, Rubio has said Cuba turned down $100 million in humanitarian aid. U.S. citizens away from the government in Havana.
The additional economic blockade measures announced today worsen the already difficult situation our country faces, he said. N. U.S. measures have pushed essential services to the brink and could violate the human rights of Cuba's population.
The United Nations issued the statement shortly before the new penalties. Cuban authorities said in mid-March that tens of thousands of people are waiting to receive surgery, including around 11,000 children.
U.S. Has supplied at least $9 million in aid to Cuba since early November to help those affected by Hurricane Melissa, which devastated Cuba last year. U.S. blockade on fuel supplies to Cuba has been in place since January.
U.S. has allowed through to Cuba's ports. Cuba was heavily dependent on Venezuela's oil exports. U.S. forces swept into Venezuela and captured then-leader Nicolás Maduro in Caracas at the start of 2026.
U.S. military has carried out more than two dozen intelligence-gathering flights near Cuba since early February. These flights included reconnaissance drones and piloted aircraft such as the RC-135V Rivet Joint, with most concentrated on Havana and Santiago de Cuba.
U.S. intelligence-gathering flights on Sunday. U.S. military operations in Venezuela at the start of 2026.
U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran occurred at the end of February. U.S. could almost immediately take over Cuba.
U.S. Ends its war against Iran. Trump made the remarks earlier this month. U.S. threats have reached dangerous levels.
U.S. Military attack with guerrilla-style tactics which would incur immense losses on both sides. The interview with Miguel Díaz-Canel took place last month in Havana. U.S. officials told The Associated Press that Washington is not looking to launch military action against Cuba in the near future.
The Associated Press article was published on Thursday. The unnamed officials said military options were still on the table.
U.S. Officials.
Key Facts
Story Timeline
8 events- 2026-05-08
U.S. announces additional sanctions on Cuba's military business empire and Canada joint venture
2 sourcesU.S. government · Newsweek - 2026-05-08
Associated Press publishes report quoting anonymous U.S. officials on military options
1 sourceThe Associated Press - 2026-05-04
President Trump jokes about potential rapid takeover of Cuba involving USS Abraham Lincoln
1 sourceDonald Trump - 2026-04-27
CNN reports more than two dozen U.S. intelligence-gathering flights near Cuba since early February
1 sourceCNN - 2026-04
Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel interviewed by Newsweek in Havana warning of guerrilla retaliation
2 sourcesMiguel Díaz-Canel · Newsweek - 2026-03-15
Cuban authorities report tens of thousands waiting for surgery including 11,000 children
1 sourceCuban authorities - 2026-02-28
U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran conducted
1 sourceNewsweek - 2026-01-01
Near-total U.S. blockade on fuel supplies to Cuba begins; U.S. forces capture Nicolás Maduro in Venezuela
2 sourcesNewsweek · unattributed
Potential Impact
- 01
Competing narratives on $100 million aid offer deepen diplomatic impasse between Washington and Havana
- 02
Continued fuel blockade and sanctions likely worsen blackouts and medical backlogs in Cuba
- 03
Heightened U.S. intelligence flights signal potential contingency planning following Venezuela operation
- 04
U.N. human rights warning may increase international pressure on U.S. policy toward Cuba
Transparency Panel
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