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The
sanctions are part of a larger effort by President Donald Trump
and his allies to force political change in Havana even as the
country continues to grapple with a deepening economic and
energy crisis that has suffocated its population.
With the new penalties the State Department is expanding its
reach to target new sectors of Cuba's economy, including
electronics, manufacturing, marine and technology.
“Cuba’s ruling elite is hoarding the island’s energy, shipping,
and technology resources for its own enrichment, leaving the
Cuban people to contend with blackouts, shortages, and a
stagnant economy,” Secretary of State Marco Rubio said in a
statement.
In total, eight entities and two individuals were targeted,
including China National Electronic Import and Export Company
and Beijing H&C Technologies, two China-based companies that the
U.S. is accusing of procuring weapons and selling surveillance
and security equipment to the Cuban government.
Washington's campaign against Havana has only accelerated in
recent months, with public spats between their representatives
at the United Nations and on social media.
Last week, the U.N. General Assembly condemned the U.S. economic
embargo of Cuba for the 34th year. But the U.S. campaign to
influence the outcome led a number of countries to vote against
the resolution or sit out the decision for the first time.
Meanwhile, Trump's threat in late January to impose tariffs on
any country that sells or provides oil to Cuba has made
islandwide blackouts even more common, while daily outages in
Cuba now surpass 24 hours as the aging grid fails and fuel
reserves dwindle.
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