The U.S. Secretary of State, Marco Rubio, issued a strong warning to the Cuban regime, asserting that Washington will not tolerate military operations, intelligence, or hostile terrorist activities just 90 miles from its shores.
Rubio made the statement this Thursday in a post on his official X account, after announcing sanctions against five Cuban entities and eight officials linked to the purchase of arms and the military cooperation of the regime with Russia and China.
"The United States will not tolerate a pariah state hosting military, intelligence, and terrorist operations hostile to our country’s borders," asserted the head of U.S. diplomacy, highlighting Cuba's proximity to U.S. territory.
The Secretary of State accused the communist regime of using its military and intelligence structures to spy on the United States, arm violent leftist groups, spread Marxist ideology, and facilitate operations of Russia, China, and Iran from the island.
The new round of sanctions was detailed in an official statement from the Department of State. The designations were adopted under Executive Order 14404, signed by President Donald Trump on May 1, 2026.
The five sanctioned entities are the Cuban Import and Export Company of Technical Products, known as Tecnoimport; Duna S.A.; the Military Industry Union; the Yuri Gagarin Military Industrial Company; and Tecnotex.
According to the fact sheet published by the State Department, these companies are involved in the importation, production, repair, or maintenance of weapons, helicopters, airplanes, and other equipment intended for the Cuban Armed Forces and security agencies.
Washington noted that Tecnoimport, a subsidiary of the military conglomerate GAESA, has acquired military equipment from Russia and China for the Ministry of the Revolutionary Armed Forces.
Duna S.A. would also have facilitated the entry of military material from those countries into Cuba.
The Military Industry Union was noted for producing and repairing weapons, as well as participating in the modernization of Russian systems.
The Yuri Gagarin Military Industrial Company is engaged in the maintenance of helicopters and military aircraft of Russian manufacture, while Tecnotex has been involved in projects related to the Defense and Security sectors.
The sanctions targeted the Minister of the Revolutionary Armed Forces, Álvaro López Miera, and the Chief of the General Staff, Roberto Legrá Sotolongo.
Also included were Roberto Jesús Viciana Mousset, general director of the Military Industry Union; Heriberto Sánchez Alleyne, director of Tecnoimport; José Antonio Remón Rodríguez; Óscar Enrique Biosca Gallego; Mónica Milián Gómez, military attaché of Cuba in Russia; and Waldo Pérez Cortés, Cuban military attaché in China.
The property and assets of designated individuals and entities located in the United States or under the control of U.S. citizens are blocked. Additionally, operations involving the properties or interests of the sanctioned parties are prohibited unless authorized.
Rubio extended the warning to banks and foreign companies that provide services, safeguard funds, or conduct business with the new sanctioned entities.
The secretary indicated that those who continue to support them could be exposed to similar measures and urged an immediate end to those relationships.
The new designations broaden the offensive by Washington against the military suppliers of the Cuban regime, following other measures against GAESA, the MINFAR, the Ministry of the Interior, and various companies controlled by the military leadership.
The Trump administration claims that the island has become a platform for the adversaries of the United States. A report presented in July by the State Department accused Havana of engaging in espionage, subversion, and ideological influence activities within U.S. territory for decades.
Rubio had already emphasized that Cuba is a national security priority due to its proximity to the U.S. coastline.
Related videos:
Filed under: