Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodríguez affirmed today that the U.S. government does not cease its efforts to tighten the siege on Cuba's economy.

"The U.S. government, led by its dishonest and mendacious Secretary of State, continues steps to tighten the siege on Cuba's economy, as it has proven stronger, more capable, and more effective than he expected in the face of ruthless aggression and collective punishment against the people and their living conditions," he expressed on the social network X.

This statement follows the U.S. State Department's announcement of the designation of five Cuban entities under Executive Order 14404, signed by President Donald Trump in May 2026. The sanctioned entities are: Banco Financiero Internacional, Rafin, Almacenes Universales, GeoMinera, and Siderúrgica José Martí. Additionally, official Annalie Lilliam Rueda Cardero was sanctioned.

"What this individual promotes from the world's greatest power is a crime," the Foreign Minister stated.

Once again, the White House accuses the Greater Antilles of being a threat to U.S. National Security and Foreign Policy . Through these measures, according to Secretary of State Marco Rubio, "any person who provides services to these sanctioned actors risks being sanctioned themselves. Foreign banks and other companies that provide services to these entities must immediately freeze those activities".

This once again demonstrates the marked extraterritorial character of the blockade and other aggressions against Cuba, with actions that reinforce the siege and accentuate the collective punishment against its people. Analysts warn that the sanctions, targeting a commercial bank, a logistics company, and a financial arm of GAESA — a conglomerate believed to control nearly 40% of Cuba's GDP — are expected to deter foreign investors and deepen the severe economic crisis.