The Cuban government strongly condemned the US administration's decision to add companies linked to the GAESA conglomerate, which plays a key role in the Cuban economy and is controlled by the armed forces, to its sanctions list.
Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez Parrilla, in a statement on the social media platform X, labeled Washington's new restrictive measures a 'crime' and sharply criticized US Secretary of State Marco Rubio.
Rodriguez stated: 'The US government, under the leadership of a dishonest and mendacious Secretary of State, continues to escalate the economic embargo after seeing that the Cuban economy is more resilient, capable and effective than expected, despite the brutal aggression and collective punishment against the people and their living conditions.'
The Cuban foreign minister added in his statement: 'What this person leading the world's greatest power has launched is a crime.'
New US sanctions
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio had previously announced on X the imposition of new sanctions on companies linked to the GAESA conglomerate, which dominates the Cuban economy and is under military control.
Rubio claimed that this structure 'steals' the resources of the Cuban people for its own benefit. The US Secretary of State said: 'Today, I am sanctioning the GAESA network and entities exploiting Cuba's mining and metallurgical resources for illicit gain.'
He also stressed that the US would not allow these companies to continue activities Washington views as anti-American propaganda.
