US imposes sanctions on five Cuban companies and wife of Raúl Castro's son

The United States has imposed new sanctions on five Cuban companies linked to the military-run conglomerate Gaesa, along with Annalie Lilliam Rueda Cardero, the wife of Alejandro Castro Espín, son of former Cuban leader Raúl Castro. The announcement on Tuesday targets key financial and logistical entities within Cuba's economic structure.

The sanctioned companies include Almacenes Universales, a logistics firm; the financial institution Rafin; and the Banco Financiero Internacional. Additionally, two state-owned mining firms, Geominera and Empresa Siderúrgica José Martí (Antillana de Acero), were included. The U.S. Department of State stated that Rafin and the Banco Financiero Internacional are financial institutions used by Gaesa to "move money on behalf of the regime."

Gaesa, described by the State Department as the primary source of funds for the Cuban state, is itself already under sanctions. Secretary of State Marco Rubio asserted that "Gaesa continues to function as the financial muscle behind the Cuban regime's security and repressive apparatus." These measures come amid growing U.S. pressure on Cuba, which is facing its worst economic crisis in decades.

Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodríguez vehemently denounced the U.S. actions, stating on X that the U.S. government, led by its "dishonest and mendacious Secretary of State," continues to tighten the economic blockade against Cuba. He characterized the U.S. administration's actions as a "crime."

The U.S. has intensified its sanctions policy against Cuba since January, including an oil embargo that has worsened the island's energy problems. The latest round of sanctions follows previous actions in June against Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel and other members of the Castro family. The sanctions block these companies and individuals from engaging in economic transactions with U.S. entities and freeze any assets they may hold in the United States.