The United States announced a new round of sanctions against Cuba on Thursday, targeting the military-controlled conglomerate Grupo de Administración Empresarial SA (GAESA) and its executive president Ania Guillermina Lastres Morera. The measures also affect Moa Nickel SA, a joint venture between Toronto-based Sherritt International Corporation and Cuba’s state-owned nickel company. The United Nations expressed concern that Washington’s actions amount to an energy blockade pushing Cuba toward a deeper energy crisis.

According to the report, GAESA has links to nearly all sectors of Cuba’s economy, making the sanctions potentially far-reaching. Sherritt stated on its website that it has temporarily suspended direct participation in the joint venture due to the new restrictions. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said in a statement on X that the Trump administration would continue to act until Cuba implements necessary political and economic reforms.

Cuba’s government has not yet issued an official response to the new sanctions, while the UN’s warning highlights growing international concern over the humanitarian and economic impact of the measures.