Washington Imposes Sanctions on Cuban Entities and Military Officials

Washington, Sept 17 (KUNA) — The United States announced on Thursday the imposition of sanctions on eight entities and three Cuban military officials who oversee the nickel sector and the military modernization apparatus. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated in a press release that he had designated “11 entities and individuals” in Cuba, in accordance with Executive Order 14404 issued by U.S. President Donald Trump concerning “imposing sanctions on those responsible for repression in Cuba and for threats to the national security and foreign policy of the United States.” He noted that the designations include “four state-owned (Cuban) institutions that deplete Cuba’s nickel reserves to generate profits for the regime, and four military institutions dedicated to research and development in the fields of weapons systems, naval capabilities, and combat operations simulation,” as well as “three military officials who lead these institutions.” Rubio emphasized that the Trump administration “will not stand idly by while the Cuban elite enriches itself by extracting and hoarding resources for the benefit of Cuba’s repressive security apparatus, while the Cuban people suffer from deprivation.” He also highlighted the U.S. administration’s commitment to “a vision of Cuba governed by its own people, not a military class that treats the island’s future as its private inheritance.” (End) Ras R / M M J