US Targets Cuban Officials, Construction Ministry in New Sanctions
The US sanctioned nine Cuban entities and three individuals, including ICAP leaders, over alleged anti-American activities.
The United States has announced a fresh round of sanctions against Cuba, targeting nine entities and three individuals for what Washington describes as malign activities directed against the US.
The designations include the leadership of the Cuban Institute of Friendship with the Peoples (ICAP) and the Ministry of Construction of Cuba. Secretary of State Marco Rubio accused ICAP of running a "vast subversive network" in the US, allegedly operating under the cover of educational and cultural exchanges.
Rubio also claimed Cuba recently attempted to use the centenary of Fidel Castro's birth to activate this network, bringing sympathizers to Havana to connect with government officials.
"Today's designations make clear that the Trump Administration will not tolerate the Cuban regime's efforts to fund its repression or continue its decades-long campaign of subversive anti-American activities," Rubio said in a statement.
The latest measures follow a May executive order by President Donald Trump that broadened sanctions against Cuban government officials, security forces, and their supporters. Thursday's action also targets entities linked to Cuba's metals and mining sector.