U.S. President Donald Trump has enacted a new executive order imposing sanctions on individuals deemed responsible for repression in Cuba and threats to U.S. national security and foreign policy. The directive includes asset freezes, restrictions on financial transactions, and travel bans.
This executive order was made public on the White House’s official website. It states, “The policies, practices, and actions of the Cuban government continue to pose an unusual and extraordinary threat to the national security and foreign policy of the United States, the source of which is wholly or substantially outside the United States. These policies, practices, and actions not only aim to harm the United States but also contradict the moral and political values of free and democratic societies.”
The order mandates a complete freeze on any property and assets in the U.S. belonging to individuals involved in sectors such as energy, defense, metallurgy, mining, finance, or security in Cuba.
It also targets government structures and representatives from Cuba, particularly those responsible for serious human rights violations and corruption linked to the Cuban regime.
Additionally, the order prohibits Cuban citizens from entering the U.S., affecting both immigrants and non-immigrants.
The directive empowers the U.S. Secretary of the Treasury, in consultation with the Secretary of State, to impose sanctions on foreign banks and financial institutions if they are found to have conducted or facilitated financial transactions benefiting sanctioned individuals.
On January 30, President Trump declared a national emergency concerning Cuba, asserting that the actions of the Cuban government represent an “extraordinary threat” to U.S. national security and foreign policy. He claimed that Havana supports “hostile nations and terrorist organizations,” including Russia, China, Iran, Hamas, and Hezbollah.
The Cuban government responded by stating that the U.S. poses a threat to the country and declared an “international state of emergency.” On March 6, Trump claimed that the Cuban government would “soon fall” and expressed a desire to negotiate with them. He also suggested appointing U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio as a representative in Cuba.
Trump aims to dismantle the communist regime in Cuba, accusing its leadership of “terrorism” and “drug trafficking” into the U.S., as well as fostering “anti-American sentiments” in the region.
On March 10, Trump stated that the Cuban government had two options: agree to a change in leadership with U.S. support or refuse, with the outcome being the same for the country. He remarked, “This could be a friendly takeover. Or it might not be friendly. It doesn’t matter, because they are already on their last breath. They have no energy. They have no money.” He also noted that representatives of the Cuban government had reached out to the U.S. regarding the dire economic situation in the country, indicating ongoing contacts between Washington and Cuban authorities about potential developments.
On March 13, Senate Democrats introduced a resolution aimed at preventing President Trump from using military force against Cuba without prior Congressional approval.
President Trump's executive order imposes sanctions on Cuban officials linked to repression and national security threats. The measures include asset freezes and travel bans, reflecting ongoing tensions between the U.S. and Cuba amid claims of support for hostile entities by the Cuban government.