U.S. State Department targets Chinese firms in new Cuba sanctions
Washington expands economic restrictions to include electronics and maritime sectors while investigating eight entities and two individuals linked to the Cuban military.
By Tessa Cooper ·
The U.S. State Department issued a resolution on Thursday that authorizes new sanctions against specific sectors of the Cuban economy and identifies Chinese companies supplying Havana's military. The move marks the latest escalation in the Trump administration's economic pressure campaign against the island nation.
The resolution expands the scope of American restrictions to include the electronics, manufacturing, maritime, and technology industries. Officials stated that the new measures aim to weaken the financial capacity of the Cuban government to maintain its grip on power.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the governing elite in Cuba is hoarding energy, maritime, and technological resources for personal enrichment. He noted that the Cuban people are left to deal with power outages, shortages, and a stagnant economy as a result.
The State Department investigated eight entities and two individuals as part of this action. Two of the targeted companies are based in China: China National Electronic Import and Export Company and Beijing H&C Technologies. Washington accuses these firms of purchasing weapons and selling surveillance and security equipment to the Cuban government.
This initiative follows a period of intensifying diplomatic friction between Washington and Havana. The dispute has been visible in public exchanges at the United Nations and on social media platforms over the past few months.
Last week, the U.N. General Assembly voted to condemn the U.S. economic embargo on Cuba for the 34th consecutive year. However, the U.S. campaign to influence the vote resulted in several countries voting against the resolution or abstaining for the first time.
The economic pressure has contributed to worsening conditions on the island. Trump's threat in late January to impose tariffs on nations selling oil to Cuba has coincided with more frequent blackouts. Daily power cuts in Cuba now exceed 24 hours due to the degradation of the electrical grid and depleted fuel reserves.
