The U.S. Treasury announced new economic sanctions on May 7, 2026, targeting a Cuban military conglomerate and a mining joint venture [1].

These measures aim to disrupt the financial foundations of the Cuban government by restricting the ability of U.S. persons to conduct business with specific listed entities [2]. The move signals a tightening of economic pressure amid ongoing tensions regarding human rights and geopolitical alliances.

The sanctions specifically target GAESA, the military-run conglomerate that controls nearly 40 percent of the island’s economy [3]. By restricting access to the U.S. financial system, the Trump administration seeks to limit the resources available to the Cuban military.

According to the Treasury Department, the new list includes approximately 30 entities and individuals tied to the military and mining sectors [1]. A U.S. Treasury spokesperson said, "These measures target entities that support the Cuban regime and its military-run enterprises."

U.S. officials said the decision was driven by concerns over the regime's support for Russia and continuing human-rights abuses [2]. The sanctions are designed to isolate the military-controlled economy from international trade and investment.

In Havana, the Cuban government reacted to the announcement. A Cuban foreign ministry spokesperson said Cuba condemned the sanctions as "illegal" and "abusive" [2].

Reporting from the ground in Havana, Whit Johnson said the announcement brings a new chapter to U.S.–Cuba relations [4]. The sanctions arrive as the island continues to grapple with a fragile economy, further limiting its capacity for foreign trade.

“The Cuban military conglomerate controls nearly 40 percent of the island’s economy.”

By targeting GAESA and the mining sector, the U.S. is moving beyond general trade restrictions to specifically dismantle the financial power of the Cuban military. Because the military controls a vast portion of the domestic economy, these sanctions may exacerbate Cuba's existing economic fragility while attempting to force a shift in the regime's foreign policy regarding Russia.