Shibbir Ahmed, WASHINGTON DC — The United States on Thursday announced new sanctions against eight Cuban entities and three individuals as part of the Trump administration’s broader effort to restrict Cuba’s military capabilities and sources of revenue. The U.S. Department of State said the latest measures target elements of Cuba’s military research and development apparatus as well as entities connected to the country’s nickel and mining sector.
The designations were imposed under Executive Order 14404, issued in May 2026. The order authorizes sanctions against foreign persons involved in specified activities related to Cuba, including operations in the defense, metals and mining, energy, financial-services and security sectors. Four Cuban military enterprises were designated for operating in or having operated in the defense and related-materials sector.
They are the Centro de Investigacion y Desarrollo de Simuladores (SIMPRO), which the State Department says develops and manufactures simulators and training programs for Cuba’s Revolutionary Armed Forces and other government entities; the Centro de Investigacion y Desarrollo Naval (CIDNAV), involved in research programs for the Cuban Revolutionary Navy; the Centro de Investigacion y Desarrollo de Armamento de Infanteria (CIDAI), involved in research related to infantry weapons; and Centro de Investigacion, Desarrollo y Produccion Grito de Baire (GELCOM), which produces electronics and communications equipment.
The United States also sanctioned three senior Cuban military officials associated with those enterprises: Joaquin Francisco Cancio Monteagudo, director general of SIMPRO; Dioglis Pedrera Arguello, director general of CIDNAV; and Julio Hurtado Betancourt, director general of CIDAI.
Four additional entities connected to Cuba’s nickel industry were also designated: SERCONI, CEPRONIQUEL, CEDINIQ and PINARES S.A. The State Department identified them as state-linked organizations involved in technical services, engineering, research and mineral surveying associated with Cuba’s nickel sector.
Under the sanctions, property and interests in property belonging to designated persons that are in the United States or under the possession or control of U.S. persons are blocked. U.S. persons are generally prohibited from engaging in transactions involving blocked property unless authorized or exempt.
The measures also create sanctions risks for certain foreign persons that conduct specified transactions with persons designated under E.O. 14404 or operate in sectors covered by the order. OFAC says E.O. 14404 operates alongside, rather than replacing, the existing Cuban Assets Control Regulations.
The latest action follows several rounds of U.S. sanctions against Cuban entities and officials during 2026. Earlier measures have also targeted Cuba’s financial channels, energy-related entities and resource-exploitation apparatus. The State Department said the ultimate objective of the sanctions is to encourage changes in behavior by the Cuban government.
