The US Department of State has designated eight entities and two individuals, and identified five vessels as blocked property, in a fresh round of sanctions targeting the Cuban government’s oil shipping networks, state enterprises and elite figures. The action was taken under Executive Order 14,404.
The designated vessels are named Esperanza, Gloria C, Maria Cristina, Emilia and Lourdes. Among the entities listed are Caroil Transport Marine Ltd, Tentacool Commercial Inc, Internacional Maritima SA and Petroleos Maritimos Del Caribe S.A., known as Petromarca. Caroil had already been designated once before, by the Treasury Department on September 24, 2019, under a separate executive order, 13,850.
Elites and state firms named
The two individuals named are Guillermo Faustino Rodriguez Lopez Calleja and Any Rodriguez Lastres. Lastres is identified as the daughter of Ania Guillermina Lastres Morera, the sanctioned president of GAESA, the Cuban military-linked conglomerate. She previously served as commercial director of Terminal De Contenedores De Mariel S.A.
Two further entities named are Cubaelectronica, which handles electronics and communications imports and exports, and Tecnosime, a technical and technological services firm. The Office of Foreign Assets Control separately issued a determination authorizing sanctions against foreign persons operating in Cuba’s manufacturing, technology, electronics and marine sectors.
Oil links and wider policy
The entities and vessels are described as part of networks moving oil for the Cuban government, along with Chinese suppliers linked to its military forces.
The State Department said the US continues to authorize trade in food, medicine and medical devices to Cuba despite the new designations.
Source: US Department of State
