New Washington measures target shipping companies and suppliers linked to Cuba

The U.S. government imposed sanctions on November 5 against eight companies and two individuals over activities connected with Cuba. The decision also places restrictions on five oil tankers: they may not be sold, transferred or used without Washington's authorization. The companies are based in Cuba, China, Panama and Cyprus and operate in areas including shipping, imports and equipment supply.

Cyprus-based Caroil Transport Marine Ltd commercially manages the vessels Esperanza, Gloria C and María Cristina and is listed as the registered owner of the last. Panama's Tentacool Commercial Inc is listed as owner of the Gloria C, while Cuba's Internacional Marítima SA owns the Esperanza. All three companies were cited for activity in the energy sector; Caroil had already been designated by the U.S. Treasury in September 2019.

Petróleos Marítimos del Caribe SA (Petromarca) administers and operates Cuban tankers: it is listed as owner and commercial manager of the Emilia and as commercial manager of the Lourdes. Cubaelectrónica, a state entity that imports and exports electronic and communications products, and Tecnosime, which sells technical services, were also included.

The two Chinese firms included are China National Electronic Import and Export Company (CEIEC) and Beijing H&C Technologies. The State Department says CEIEC agreed to supply components for equipment used by Cuba's Ministry of the Revolutionary Armed Forces and attributes military exports to Cuba to Beijing H&C. Both operated this year through Sociedad Mercantil Duna, a Cuban weapons-purchasing entity sanctioned on August 6.

One of the two designated individuals is Guillermo Faustino Rodríguez López-Calleja, whom Washington connects to a shipping network that transports fuel to Cuba. He is the brother of General Luis Alberto Rodríguez López-Calleja, who led GAESA until his death in 2022. Separately, the director of the Office of Foreign Assets Control signed a determination allowing sanctions against foreign nationals active in Cuba's electronics, manufacturing, technology and maritime sectors. Earlier restrictions already covered energy, defense, mining and metals, financial services and security. Trade in food, medicine and medical equipment remains authorized.