Miguel Díaz-Canel reacted on Wednesday to the new package of sanctions from the United States against Cuba, using the restrictions imposed on the island's private sector to challenge Washington's argument that its pressure policy is primarily aimed at the state apparatus.
In a thread of two posts on X, the Cuban leader stated that the new measures "unmask those who claim to be only against the Cuban government and its businesses."
"These actions against the Cuban private sector clearly demonstrate that their only intention is to inflict the maximum suffering on our people and to limit the implementation of economic and social reforms," he added.
The reaction comes after the United States announced on Tuesday a new tightening of its sanctions against Cuba, with measures that took effect on Wednesday and also impact certain operations in the private sector.
Among the changes is the elimination of the authorization that, starting in 2024, allowed private Cuban entrepreneurs to open, maintain, and use bank accounts in the United States.
The Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) of the Department of the Treasury also ordered the freezing of the affected accounts due to the revocation of that authorization, the funds of which can only be released through a specific license.
The package also removes authorizations for certain financial transactions related to Cuba, expands restrictions related to restricted Cuban entities, and revokes the general license for organizing certain professional conferences on the island.
The measures are part of the implementation of Executive Order 14404, signed by President Donald Trump on May 1, 2026. The order expanded Washington's tools to sanction individuals and entities connected to the Cuban Government and authorizes actions against foreign financial institutions that facilitate certain operations with sanctioned individuals.
Washington justified those measures by citing threats from the Cuban government to national security and U.S. foreign policy, as well as corruption and serious human rights violations.
The criticisms now being voiced by Díaz-Canel regarding the impact of sanctions on Cuban entrepreneurs contrast with the restrictions and controls that the Government itself imposes on the private sector within the island.
Although Havana has relaxed some regulations during 2026, the , approved in July, maintains prohibited or conditioned activities for private companies, micro, small and medium enterprises, cooperatives, and self-employed workers. The regulation replaced the previous list of 125 banned activities with a differentiated system of restrictions based on the type of economic actor.
Additionally, in August, the Cuban authorities themselves launched operations against private businesses. In Centro Habana, for example, an inspection day targeting 232 economic actors resulted in 363 fines, 15 closures, 11 forced sales, and two licenses revoked. In Villa Clara, the provincial government established maximum prices for products such as eggs, oil, powdered milk, and sugar, and subsequently, reports emerged of forced sales and closures of establishments due to various infractions.
The sector also lacks an independent business organization equivalent to a chamber that specifically represents its interests. An analysis by economist Pedro Monreal even questioned how the so-called "representatives" of the private sector are selected and what mandate they have when participating in meetings with Díaz-Canel.
At the same time, the Government has introduced measures this year that expand the scope of action for private businesses, including the removal of the limit on 100 workers and the ability for an individual to participate in multiple companies. It has also relaxed regulations on wholesale trade and opened the possibility for direct import and export, although this latter authority is subject to requirements and approvals.
Other reactions
Díaz-Canel's reaction adds to that of Chancellor Bruno Rodríguez Parrilla, who accused Washington of obstructing economic transformations and stated that the new measures "openly attack both the public sector and the private sector, which some U.S. officials claim they want to help develop."
Rodríguez also questioned recent statements made by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who asserted on Fox News that “Cuba has already fallen” and described the island as a failed state.
"Less than 24 hours ago, the Secretary of State said that Cuba had already fallen, and now it turns out he needs to implement additional measures," replied the chancellor.
The Trump administration maintains that its policy aims to increase pressure on the Cuban government and those who help sustain it. The Executive Order 14404 imposes sanctions against officials, entities, and individuals connected to the state apparatus, cases of corruption, serious human rights abuses, or material support for the government.
Havana, for its part, maintains that U.S. sanctions hinder the implementation of its economic program. The Cuban government claims to have implemented 158 of the 176 economic and social measures announced in June, although Prime Minister Manuel Marrero Cruz has acknowledged that these measures still need to yield concrete results in areas such as production, prices, and employment.
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