New US Sanctions Hit Cuba's Mining and Construction Sectors

In a decisive move, the United States has unveiled a fresh wave of economic sanctions aimed at Cuba, specifically targeting nine state-owned firms in the mining and construction industries. This announcement, made by the US Treasury Department, identifies key players including the Ministry of Construction and various government-controlled import companies.

The sanctions extend to mining operations like GEOMINSAL, which are crucial for extracting Cuba's rich deposits of cobalt and nickel. Additionally, three officials from the Cuban Institute of Friendship with the Peoples (ICAP) are also facing restrictions. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, a vocal advocate for change in Cuba, underscored these entities as threats to national security, alleging that they bolster the island's oppressive regime.

Rubio's statements depicted ICAP as orchestrating a network that supports the Cuban government through subversive means, claiming that their actions contribute to the export of Marxist ideology and violence globally. The Trump administration's approach, characterized by a “maximum pressure” campaign, aims to undermine the Cuban government, particularly as tensions have risen following recent military actions in Venezuela.

The sanctions come amid a broader strategy that includes severe fuel restrictions, which have led to energy blackouts and essential shortages on the island. UN officials have raised alarms about the humanitarian implications of these measures, warning that the ongoing fuel blockade could lead to a crisis. With reports of rising infant mortality rates and other health issues, calls for the immediate lifting of these sanctions have intensified, but the US remains firm in its stance that Cuba poses a significant threat.

Source: www.aljazeera.com