Trump Expands Sanctions on Cuba, Authorizing Secondary Sanctions on Foreign Entities for First Time
Primary region US
Tags Diplomacy · Policy
Regions US · South America
President Trump signed an executive order on May 1 significantly broadening US sanctions against the Cuban government, authorizing 'secondary sanctions' targeting foreign companies and banks from other countries that do business with Cuba. The order uses the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) to target Cuba's security apparatus, energy, defense, mining, and financial services sectors. The US accuses Cuba of aligning with Iran and Hezbollah and providing a permissive environment for hostile intelligence operations. Cuba's Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez called the sanctions 'collective punishment' and said Cubans would not be intimidated. Trump also stated the US would take over Cuba 'almost immediately' after the Iran conflict ends. The sanctions build on a January 2026 executive order declaring a national emergency over Cuba and a June 2025 National Security Presidential Memorandum.
Strategic interpretation
The authorization of secondary sanctions represents the most significant escalation in US-Cuba relations since the embargo began, extending US extraterritorial reach to force global banks and companies to choose between accessing the US financial system and doing business with Cuba. This move signals Trump's intent to maintain maximum pressure on Havana while the US is engaged in the Iran conflict, and his 'take over Cuba' rhetoric suggests regime change remains an administration goal. The sanctions may complicate relations with European and Latin American allies whose companies are now at risk.