Tourism sanctions cut major hard currency source for Cuba government. State company targets disrupt trade and transport adding to isolation. Fuel blockade already caused repeated island-wide blackouts crippling economy. Energy crisis from blockade creates humanitarian strain. Change needed but direction uncertain under Trump policy.
- Treasury Department sanctioned Cuba Ministry of Tourism and two state companies July 13.
- Entities include Grupo Empresarial de Transporte Maritimo Portuario and Grupo Empresarial del Comercio Exterior.
- Companies given until August 12 to wind down contracts.
- Follows May executive order freezing assets tied to Cuban government support.
- Cuba suffered multiple nationwide blackouts from fuel blockade.
- Trump policy leaves Cuba in limbo with hardened sanctions and unpredictable approach.
Al Jazeera on new US sanctions on Cuba tourism ministry and state companies (July 13 2026): https://www.aljazeera.com/economy/2026/7/13/us-imposes-new-sanctions-on-cuba-tourism-ministry-state-owned-companies
The Independent on Cuba future uncertain amid Trump policy and energy crisis (recent July update): https://www.the-independent.com/news/world/americas/cuba-trump-limbo-foreign-policy-energy-crisis-b3013902.html