The White House announced that President Donald Trump signed an Executive Order broadening existing sanctions on Cuba and adding new restrictions under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act. The order targets entities, persons and affiliates that support the Cuban regime's security apparatus, are complicit in government corruption or serious human rights violations, or serve as agents, officials or material supporters of the Cuban government. It also authorizes sanctions on covered persons, entities and financial institutions that conduct or facilitate transactions with parties sanctioned under the order. The White House said the measure responds to national security threats it links to Cuba's support for hostile actors, terrorism and regional instability, citing foreign adversary facilities in Cuba, ties with Iran and Hezbollah, and migration pressures, including more than 850,000 migrants arriving in the United States between 2022 and the fall of 2024.
The White House 2026-05-01
United States White House broadens Cuba sanctions to regime supporters and transaction facilitators
The White House announced that President Donald Trump signed an Executive Order under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act broadening sanctions on Cuba and adding new restrictions. The order targets entities, persons and affiliates that support the Cuban regime’s security apparatus, are complicit in corruption or serious human rights violations, or act as agents, officials or material supporters of the government, and authorizes sanctions on covered persons, entities and financial institutions that conduct or facilitate transactions with sanctioned parties. The measure responds to national security threats linked to Cuba’s support for hostile actors, terrorism and regional instability, including foreign adversary facilities, ties with Iran and Hezbollah, and migration pressures.