US pummels Cuban economy with new sanctions on mining, construction
The US government has imposed new economic sanctions on nine Cuban state-owned mining, metal, and construction companies. Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated the move aims to weaken the Cuban government's repressive apparatus and counter its international influence.
Why it matters
These sanctions represent a significant escalation in US-Cuba relations, directly impacting the island's struggling economy and its ability to trade key minerals like cobalt and nickel.
US economic restrictions have strained the island’s already fragile economy, prompting blackouts and medical shortages.
x whatsapp-stroke copylink google Add Al Jazeera on Google info US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has taken a hawkish approach to Cuba, a socialist state [File: Kevin Lamarque/Reuters] By Al Jazeera Staff and Reuters Published On 20 Aug 2026 20 Aug 2026 The United States has announced another round of economic sanctions against Cuba , this time targeting nine state-owned mining, metal and construction companies.
A notice posted on the US Treasury Department’s website on Thursday showed Cuba’s Ministry of Construction of Cuba among the sanctioned entities, as well as government-controlled import companies.
Enterprises that extract and trade the island’s minerals, like the mining group GEOMINSAL, were also on the list. Cuba holds significant deposits of cobalt and nickel.
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