Trump-Vance Administration "Further Sanctions On Cuba’s Mineral Wealth And Military Modernization Apparatus"
/United States Department of State
Washington DC
17 September 2026
Further Sanctions on Cuba’s Mineral Wealth and Military Modernization Apparatus
Marco Rubio, Secretary of State
For decades, the Cuban regime has channeled all of the island’s resources into the hands of a narrow and corrupt military elite, leaving ordinary Cubans without reliable power, food, or dignity. Today, pursuant to President Trump’s Executive Order (E.O.) 14404, “Imposing Sanctions on Those Responsible for Repression in Cuba and for Threats to United States National Security and Foreign Policy,” I am designating 11 actors that fuel this exploitation: four state-run enterprises that strip Cuba’s nickel reserves for regime profit, four military enterprises dedicated to research and development for weapons systems, naval capabilities, and battlefield simulation, and three military officials leading them.
The Trump Administration will not stand by as Cuba’s elite enrich themselves through resource extraction and hoard resources for Cuba’s repressive security apparatus while the Cuban people go without. President Trump remains committed to a Cuba governed by its people, not by a military class that treats the island’s future as its own private inheritance.
The Department’s actions are being taken pursuant to E.O. 14404, which authorizes sweeping sanctions on Cuba, including against persons who support the Cuban regime’s security apparatus and those responsible for repression in Cuba and other threats to U.S. national security. These actions also further both E.O. 14380, “Addressing Threats to the United States by the Government of Cuba” and National Security Presidential Memorandum 5, which directs the Executive Branch to improve human rights, encourage the rule of law, foster free markets and free enterprise, and promote democracy in Cuba. For more information on today’s action, see the Department of State’s Fact Sheet.
Specially Designated Nationals List Updates
The following individuals have been added to OFAC's SDN List:
CANCIO MONTEAGUDO, Joaquin Francisco, 58 #2906 Eyrpto, Playa, Havana, Cuba; DOB 16 Sep 1945; nationality Cuba; Gender Male; Passport E493203 (Cuba) expires 20 May 2031 (individual) [CUBA-EO14404].
HURTADO BETANCOURT, Julio, Cuba; DOB 04 Nov 1962; nationality Cuba; Gender Male; Passport E459994 (Cuba) expires 29 Apr 2031 (individual) [CUBA-EO14404].
PEDRERA ARGUELLO, Dioglis, Cuba; Calle 186 No 311531 Y 33, Playa, Havana, Cuba; DOB 13 Jun 1963; nationality Cuba; Gender Male; Passport A010659 (Cuba) expires 13 Aug 2030 (individual) [CUBA-EO14404].
The following entities have been added to OFAC's SDN List:
CENTRO DE INVESTIGACION Y DESARROLLO DE ARMAMENTO DE INFANTERIA (a.k.a. "CIDAI"), Circunvalacion Norte, Km 8 ½, Camaguey, Cuba; Organization Established Date 11 Apr 2010; Organization Type: Research and experimental development on natural sciences and engineering; alt. Organization Type: Defense activities; Target Type State-Owned Enterprise; Entity Code 14124 (Cuba) [CUBA-EO14404].
CENTRO DE INVESTIGACION Y DESARROLLO DE SIMULADORES (a.k.a. EMPRESA DE CIENCIA Y TECNOLOGIA SIMULADORES; a.k.a. "CID-SIM"; a.k.a. "ECTSIM"; a.k.a. "SIMPRO"), Loma S/N, Entre Santa Ana Y Conill, Nuevo Vedado, Plaza De La Revolucion, Havana, Cuba; Organization Established Date 09 Jul 2009; Organization Type: Research and experimental development on natural sciences and engineering; alt. Organization Type: Defense activities; Target Type State-Owned Enterprise; Entity Code 14032 (Cuba) [CUBA-EO14404].
CENTRO DE INVESTIGACION Y DESARROLLO NAVAL (a.k.a. CIDNAV), Estrada Palma No. 13, Casablanca, Regla, Havana, Cuba; Organization Established Date 09 Jul 2009; Organization Type: Research and experimental development on natural sciences and engineering; alt. Organization Type: Defense activities; Target Type State-Owned Enterprise; Entity Code 14034 (Cuba) [CUBA-EO14404].
CENTRO DE INVESTIGACION, DESARROLLO Y PRODUCCION GRITO DE BAIRE (a.k.a. CENTRO DE INVESTIGACION Y DESARROLLO GRITO DE BAIRE; a.k.a. CIDP GRITO DE BAIRE; a.k.a. GRITO DE BAIRE CENTER FOR RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT AND PRODUCTION; a.k.a. "CIDP-GB"; a.k.a. "GELCOM"; a.k.a. "GRUPO DE LA ELECTRONICA DE COMUNICACIONES"), Santa Ana S/N, Entre 47 Y Reforma, Nuevo Vedado, Plaza De La Revolucion, Havana, Cuba; Organization Established Date 11 Apr 2010; Organization Type: Research and experimental development on natural sciences and engineering; alt. Organization Type: Defense activities; Target Type State-Owned Enterprise; Entity Code 14123 (Cuba) [CUBA-EO14404].
CENTRO DE INVESTIGACIONES DEL NIQUEL CAPITAN ALBERTO FERNANDEZ MONTES DE OCA (a.k.a. CEDINIQ; a.k.a. "CEINNIQ"), Moa, Holguin, Cuba; Organization Established Date 31 Dec 1986; Organization Type: Support activities for other mining and quarrying; Target Type State-Owned Enterprise; Entity Code 6681 (Cuba) [CUBA-EO14404].
EMPRESA DE INGENIERIA Y PROYECTOS DEL NIQUEL (a.k.a. CEPRONIQUEL), Moa, Holguin, Cuba; Organization Established Date 31 May 2001; Organization Type: Support activities for other mining and quarrying; Target Type State-Owned Enterprise; Entity Code 12392 (Cuba) [CUBA-EO14404].
EMPRESA DE SERVICIOS TECNICOS DE COMPUTACION COMUNICACIONES Y ELECTRONICA (a.k.a. EMPRESA DE SERVICIOS DE COMPUTACION COMUNICACIONES Y ELECTRONICA DEL NIQUEL RAFAEL FAUSTO OREJON FORMENT; a.k.a. "SERCONI"), Moa, Holguin, Cuba; Organization Established Date 30 Sep 1996; Organization Type: Support activities for other mining and quarrying; Target Type State-Owned Enterprise; Entity Code 9987 (Cuba) [CUBA-EO14404].
PINARES S.A., Nicaro, Holguin, Cuba; Organization Established Date 31 Jan 2001; Organization Type: Support activities for other mining and quarrying; Target Type State-Owned Enterprise; Entity Code 60172 (Cuba) [CUBA-EO14404].
