The United States has announced a new wave of sanctions targeting eight individuals and five entities connected to the Cuban government.

The sanctions target individuals and organizations accused of helping procure military equipment from abroad on behalf of Cuba’s Ministry of the Revolutionary Armed Forces and its security agencies.

The US State Department justified the move by accusing the Cuban government of supporting terrorism, aiding extremist groups, and using its intelligence apparatus to spy on the US and spread Marxist ideology.

US claims that the communist regime in Cuba is acting as an operational base for American adversaries, specifically naming Russia, China, and Iran.

The State Department also highlighted the central role of Cuba’s military and intelligence agencies in domestic oppression, pointing to alleged corruption and profit networks tied to the military-run conglomerate GAESA.

The Trump administration stated that these measures are necessary to protect US national security. The State Department emphasized that it will continue to use “all available tools” to counter threats from the Cuban regime, while remaining committed to supporting economic and political reforms for the Cuban people.