US imposes new sanctions on nine Cuban state-owned mining, construction companies
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The United States has imposed new sanctions on nine Cuban state-owned mining, metal and construction companies, including the Ministry of Construction and mining group Geominsal. The measures, announced Thursday on the Treasury Department's website, also target three leaders of the state-run Cuban Institute of Friendship with the Peoples. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the companies help sustain the Cuban government's 'repressive apparatus' and accused ICAP of organizing a 'subversive network.'
Key Facts
- The Treasury Department notice lists nine state-owned Cuban mining, metal and construction entities.
- Sanctioned entities include Cuba's Ministry of Construction, government-controlled import companies and the mining group GEOMINSAL.
- Three leaders of the Cuban Institute of Friendship with the Peoples (ICAP) were also targeted.
- Secretary of State Marco Rubio accused the companies of sustaining the island's 'repressive apparatus' and said ICAP organized a 'subversive network.'
Sanctioned Entities
The Treasury's Thursday notice targeted nine state-owned companies in Cuba's mining, metal and construction sectors. The list includes the Ministry of Construction of Cuba and government-controlled import companies. The mining group GEOMINSAL, which extracts and trades the island's minerals, was among the sanctioned entities. US officials also imposed measures on three leaders at the Cuban Institute of Friendship with the Peoples. Cuba holds significant deposits of cobalt and nickel.
Maximum Pressure Campaign
The Trump administration portrayed the targeted individuals and groups as national security threats in a statement by Secretary of State Marco Rubio. Rubio accused the mining and construction companies of helping to 'sustain the regime's repressive apparatus.' He alleged ICAP had organized a 'subversive network' of 'international sympathisers' to help Cuba's government. Cuba lies about 145 kilometres (90 miles) from the US state of Florida. Trump has said that once the US-Israeli war against Iran ends, 'Cuba is next' for regime change, and has floated ideas including a 'friendly takeover.'
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US imposes new sanctions on nine Cuban state-owned mining, construction companies
