The US sanctions 10 Cuban entities: MINTUR, ANTEX, militias and Rapid Response Brigades

This Monday, July 13, 2026 the United States sanctioned ten entities of the Cuban State - from militias and paramilitary brigades to the Ministry of Tourism and fuel, foreign trade, insurance and port companies - in a coordinated action by the href="https://www.state.gov/releases/office-of-the-spokesperson/2026/07/further-sanctions-on-the-cuban-regimes-sources-of-funding-and-tools-of-oppression/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Department of State and the OFAC of the Treasury. The official statement is titled Further Sanctions on the Cuban Regime’s Sources of Funding and Tools of Oppression and is applied under executive order 14404.

What Washington announces

According to the official text —translated into Spanish by Martí Noticias— the State Department says it is promoting the Trump administration's strategy to "end the pernicious activities of the Cuban regime" on the island and in the hemisphere. The measures target two pillars: entities that channel income and paramilitary forces, armed civil groups and surveillance organizations.

The statement cites the statement by Secretary of State Marco Rubio on July 11, for the fifth anniversary of the repression of the 11J protests: the United States will continue to use "all mechanisms" against threats to national security and to promote economic and political reforms.

Instruments of repression (according to the State Department)

• Territorial Troop Militias (MTT): part-time paramilitary force under MINFAR (already designated).
• Association of Combatants of the Cuban Revolution (ACRC): organization supervised by MINFAR; Washington accuses her of monitoring dissidents under orders from the MININT.
• Corporación Antillana Exportadora (ANTEX S.A.): linked to GAESA; The statement states that it manages the export of Cuban forced workers to Angola.
• Rapid Response Brigades: civil parapolice groups organized and trained by the government; Cuban media in exile associate them with the violence of 11J.

Sources of financing

• ENETEC S.A. and COREYDAN S.A.: import/export of fuels and lubricants (energy sector of EO 14404).
• GECOMEX: state foreign trade group (imports and exports).
• CAUDAL S.A.: insurance, reinsurance and financial services.
• GEMAR: maritime and port transport.
• Ministry of Tourism (MINTUR): largest tourism actor outside of GAESA, according to Washington; It is the first direct appointment of the ministry that regulates tourism.

CiberCuba places the blow to MINTUR in a moment of crisis in the sector: sharp drops in visitors in 2026 and hotel chains under pressure after previous sanctions against GAESA.

What does the SDN list entail?

When blocked, property and interests of those designated under US jurisdiction must be reported to OFAC. Transactions by US persons with these entities are prohibited, unless licensed. Any company that owns 50% or more is also blocked by a sanctioned person.

Washington also warns foreign individuals and banks: operating with designated individuals — or in the Cuban energy, defense, mining, finance or security sectors identified in EO 14404 — may expose them to sanctions. The stated objective of the sanctions policy, the text recalls, is not only to punish but to "cause a positive change in behavior."

Response from Havana

Foreign Minister Bruno Rodríguez described the package as “criminal and genocidal,” according to diaspora media reports. The offensive is part of a series of designations since May (GAESA, MININT, MINFAR, CUPET and others) after the signing of EO 14404 by President Donald Trump.

In summary

Who? Department of State + OFAC. What? 10 SDN: repression (MTT, ACRC, BRR, ANTEX) and financing (MINTUR, GECOMEX, CAUDAL, GEMAR, ENETEC, COREYDAN). Under what rule? Executive Order 14404. Practical effect? Blocking of assets under US jurisdiction and risk of secondary sanctions for third parties who negotiate with them.