The US government imposes sanctions on five Cuban state companies tied to Grupo de Administración Empresarial S.A., known as GAESA, and freezes any assets subject to US jurisdiction.Targets include Almacenes Universales S.A., Rafin S.A., Banco Financiero Internacional S.A., Geominera S.A. and Empresa Siderúrgica Jose Martí, firms that underpin logistics, finance, mining and steel sectors.Secretary of State Marco Rubio accuses GAESA of diverting revenues for repression and espionage, and the US Treasury warns foreign banks and investors they risk penalties for dealing with the sanctioned entities.Cuban Foreign Minister
Bruno Rodríguez calls the measures criminal aggression, while analysts warn the restrictions will deter investment and deepen shortages and blackouts already exacerbated by an energy embargo.