The Spanish Minister of Foreign Affairs, José Manuel Albares, stated in New York that the Government of Spain will defend Spanish companies operating in Cuba and rejected the extraterritorial application of U.S. sanctions.
"The Spanish government will always defend its companies, the Spanish companies that do business anywhere in the world, and we do not accept the extraterritoriality of laws and sanctions," the minister stated in statements cited by EFE.
Albares spoke during an event of the Atlantic Council forum, which took place during the UN General Assembly. The official statement comes as the three main Spanish hotel chains—Meliá, Iberostar, and Barceló—have already left the island due to pressure from Washington.
The head of Spanish diplomacy emphasized that this position is supported by the European Commission and that any issue related to Cuba must be framed within international law.
"Everything related to Cuba must respect Cuba's sovereignty, its territorial integrity, and, of course, international law," he stated.
Albares also made Spain's stance clear regarding a potential aggression against the island. "The use of force when it comes to any country in Latin America, including Cuba, is something we completely exclude," he said.
The minister's words contrast with the reality of the Spanish business sector on the island. Meliá, Iberostar, and Barceló completed their withdrawal from Cuba following Executive Order 14404, signed by Donald Trump on May 1, 2026, which expanded secondary sanctions against foreign companies with ties to GAESA —the Cuban military conglomerate that controls tourism on the island—. The deadline to sever those ties expired on June 5.
Meliá Hotels International, which had operated in Cuba for more than three decades with an investment of 465 million euros, handed over its 34 hotels on July 24 and recorded losses of 75 million euros in the first half of the year. Iberostar ceased operations of 12 hotels linked to Gaviota as of June 1, and Barceló also confirmed its departure.
Albares' statements come one day after Trump threatened at the United Nations General Assembly to resort to military strength in Latin America if he believes U.S. interests are at risk, and referred to Cuba as an “absolutely failed state”. The Cuban delegation left the room during Trump's speech.
The Spanish minister also indicated that Madrid maintains an open channel with the authorities of the Cuban regime.
"We have a dialogue with them to ensure that the interests of Spain, as well as those of the entire Latin American community, are respected," he explained.
Albares also highlighted the humanitarian aid that Spain is providing to the Cuban population. "We are trying to help the Cuban people, and we are sending both food and medicine, as well as solar panels to assist them with the electricity shortage," he stated.
On September 16, the Congress of Deputies rejected by 170 votes against 163, with 13 abstentions, a non-legislative proposal from Sumar that called for the Executive to lead a favorable position for Cuba within the European Union in response to the measures from the United States and to strengthen cooperation with the island.
Related videos:
Filed under: