Related videos:
The Trump administration expanded its maximum pressure campaign against the Cuban regime on Monday by including Grupo Caudal S.A. on the List of Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons from the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) of the U.S. Department of the Treasury.
The Caudal Group, officially known as the Superior Business Management Organization Caudal S.A. (OSDE Caudal S.A.), is the main state conglomerate of insurance and financial services in Cuba, based in Havana and founded on March 31, 2000.
Counting Caudal, the OFAC sanctioned 10 state entities on July 13, including repressive agencies and key companies and institutions that support the Cuban regime.
The designation was made under the authority of Executive Order 14404, signed by President Donald Trump on May 1, 2026, which imposes sanctions on those responsible for repression in Cuba and who pose threats to the national security and foreign policy of the United States.
The State Department described the new round of sanctions as "additional measures against the sources of funding of the Cuban regime and its tools of oppression," according to the official statement from the Secretary of State.
The sanctioned group comprises eight companies specializing in the financial and insurance sector: ESEN (National Insurance), ESICUBA (International Insurance of Cuba), CANEC (Business Consultants and Advisors), Conas (Associated Consultants), Interaudit (Economic Auditing and Consulting), Intermar (Maritime Insurance and Expertise), SIS Cubacontrol (Inspection and Verification of Cargo), and Asistur (Traveler Assistance).
Asistur, one of the companies in the group, operated as a correspondent for over 200 foreign companies and had offices in the main tourist hubs of the country, illustrating the international exposure of the conglomerate and the potential reach of the sanctions.
On the same action of July 13, OFAC also added to the blacklist the Cuban Ministry of Tourism (MINTUR), the Maritime Port Transport Business Group (GEMAR), the Foreign Trade Business Group (GECOMEX), and the Antillana Export Corporation SA (ANTEX), the latter linked to the Business Administration Group S.A. (GAESA).
In addition, the fuel marketing companies COREYDAN S.A. and ENETEC S.A. were appointed.
Also penalized are the Association of Combatants of the Cuban Revolution (ACRC), the Militia of Territorial Troops (MTT), and the Rapid Response Brigades, the paramilitary groups created in June 1991 by the regime, which have been used to suppress protests, including those on July 11, 2021.
This new round of punitive measures adds to a series of designations implemented since May 2026. The siege on the economic and military leadership of the regime has previously targeted GAESA, the Ministry of the Interior (MININT), the General Directorate of Intelligence (DGI), the Revolutionary National Police (PNR), and figures such as Miguel Díaz-Canel and members of the Castro family.
The United States also sanctioned CUPET last June, and the Ministry of the Revolutionary Armed Forces was also blocked that same month.
The OFAC warned that any entity with 50% or more ownership by GAESA, MININT, or MINFAR is automatically blocked, a warning also aimed at foreign companies operating with the regime.
With the inclusion of Grupo Caudal, Washington tightens its grip on the financial and insurance sector of the Cuban state, cutting off potential avenues for international financing through insurance, reinsurance, and services with foreign counterparts.
Filed under: