US adds more Cuban military-owned companies to Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Person List

WASHINGTON, DC– The administration of US President Donald Trump added three more Cuban military-owned companies to its Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons List (SDN List) on Monday. 

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said the Department made the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC). 

“All property and interests in property of these entities that are in the United States or the possession or control of persons subject to U.S. jurisdiction continue to be blocked and must be reported to OFAC,” Pompeo said. 

He said the companies are Grupo de Administración Empresarial SA (GAESA), FINCIMEX, and Kave Coffee S.A.  

GAESA is the Cuban military’s largest company, which controls large portions of Cuba’s economy for the military’s benefit.  

“Cuban military-controlled FINCIMEX funnels remittances through channels that disproportionately benefit the Cuban military,” he said. 

Pompeo added that Kave Coffee S.A., a coffee company domiciled in Havana and incorporated in Panama, is “part of an international network of Cuban-owned companies maintained by the Cuban military and used to evade the US embargo. 

“The revenue generated from the Cuban military’s economic activities is used to entrench the Cuban military’s control, prop up the Cuban Communist Party’s power, oppress the Cuban people and fund Cuba’s interference in Venezuela,” he said.

“Today’s action demonstrates the United States’ long-standing commitment to ending economic practices that disproportionately benefit the Cuban government or its military, intelligence, and security agencies or personnel, at the expense of the Cuban people,” he added. “It also demonstrates the United States’ commitment to disrupting Cuba’s malign support for the illegitimate Maduro regime in Venezuela.

“The United States will continue to support the Cuban people in their desire for a democratic government and respect for human rights, including freedom of religion, expression, and association,” the US Secretary of State continued. “Until these rights and freedoms are respected, we will continue to hold the regime accountable.”