The U.S. Department of State designated this Thursday eight entities and three individuals linked to the Cuban regime, in the latest round of sanctions driven by the Trump administration to cut off the funding sources of the dictatorship and halt the modernization of its armed forces.
The new designations published by the State Department are divided into two fronts: four military research and development centers of the Revolutionary Armed Forces (FAR), along with three of their general directors, and four state-owned companies that support the nickel industry, the main source of foreign currency for the regime.
In the military field, SIMPRO (simulators and training for the FAR), CIDNAV (research for the Revolutionary Navy), CIDAI (development and evaluation of infantry weapons), and GELCOM (production of military electronics and communications) were sanctioned.
The State Department noted in its decision that "Cuban military companies are fundamental pillars of the regime's defense apparatus, supporting the operational capabilities of the armed forces across a wide range of industrial and technical functions."
Alongside those entities, three high-ranking officials were also appointed personally: Colonel Joaquín Francisco Cancio Monteagudo, General Director of SIMPRO; Captain Dioglis Pedrera Argüello, General Director of CIDNAV; and Colonel Julio Hurtado Betancourt, General Director of CIDAI.
In the mining sector, the sanctions affected SERCONI (technological services for the nickel industry), CEPRONIQUEL (nickel engineering and projects), CEDINIQ (industrial nickel research and innovation), and PINARES S.A. (geological prospecting of mineral deposits).
Washington was explicit about the objective: "The nickel sector is a critical source of revenue for the Cuban government, generating foreign currency from the exploitation of its natural resources, which sustains the regime rather than benefiting the Cuban people."
All designations were made under the Executive Order 14404, signed by Trump on May 1, 2026, which authorizes the freezing of assets of individuals and entities operating in the energy, defense, metals and mining, financial services, and security sectors of the Cuban economy.
As a result, all property and interests of the designated individuals located in the United States or under the control of U.S. persons are blocked and must be reported to the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) of the Department of the Treasury.
The warning also extends to third parties: the State Department cautioned that "foreign individuals engaging in transactions with designated persons under EO 14404 are at risk of sanctions," and urged international financial institutions to "proceed with caution in any dealings" with entities sanctioned under this authority.
This round is the most recent in a sustained campaign. In May, the U.S. sanctioned GAESA and Moa Nickel S.A. in the first major action under the new executive order. In June, the MINFAR was added to the list of specially designated nationals.
In August, nine state-owned nickel and steel companies were designated, and at the beginning of September the sanctions impacted NICAROTEC, CEXNI, and other entities associated with Raúl Castro.
The State Department emphasized that "the ultimate goal of the sanctions is not to punish but to provoke a positive change in behavior" in the Cuban regime.
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