The U.S. official linked the 14ymedio director's detention with other recent cases involving Adelth Bonne, Camila Acosta and Henry Constantín.
The package covers eight companies and two individuals and restricts operations involving five oil tankers connected with crude transport.
The protester was arrested in October in San Antonio de los Baños; his family reports health problems and is waiting for the result of the examination of his phone.
The decision ends 36 years of cooperation under the brigade model but will allow Cuban professionals to continue working in the country.
The journalist's husband said she was intercepted while taking her cat to a veterinary appointment and that neighbors rescued the animal after it was left in the street.
The body said ambiguous rules can endanger fundamental freedoms and reiterated its opposition to the punishment.
