Overview
- The U.S. government placed eight Cuban entities and three senior military research officials on sanctions lists under Executive Order 14404, which blocks property in the United States or controlled by U.S. persons.
- Four named nickel-sector firms — SERCONI, CEPRONIQUEL, CEDINIQ and Pinares S.A. — were targeted for providing technical services, engineering, research and geological surveying that U.S. officials say generate hard currency for the Cuban state.
- Four military research and manufacturing entities — SIMPRO, CIDNAV, CIDAI and GELCOM — were designated for work on training simulators, naval research, infantry weapons, electronics and communications.
- The Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control must be notified of blocked assets, and the State Department warned foreign banks and companies that dealing with designated parties could create sanctions exposure or lead to secondary measures.
- The action continues a stepped U.S. campaign that earlier named mining and construction firms and officials, and it has drawn warnings from rights groups and U.N. experts about possible harm to Cuban civilians through fuel, power or medicine shortages.