Díaz-Canel Rejects New U.S. Sanctions on Cuba and Chinese Suppliers

Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel rejected new U.S. sanctions on November 7, accusing Washington of targeting Cuban companies, vessels and foreign businesses that supply the island. In two public posts, he said those foreign firms provide goods and services essential to Cuba’s economic and social development. He described the measures as collective punishment and wrote: “They will not break us!” The response followed U.S. measures announced on November 5 against 8 entities and 2 individuals, with 5 vessels identified as blocked property. Washington said the action targeted oil-shipping networks, Cuban elites, state-owned import and technical-services businesses, and China-based suppliers of Cuba’s military. The designated Chinese companies included China National Electronic Import and Export Company, or CEIEC, and Beijing H&C Technologies Co., Ltd. According to the U.S. State Department, CEIEC contracted with Cuban arms-procurement company Sociedad Mercantil Duna S.A. to export components intended for equipment used by Cuba’s Ministry of Revolutionary Armed Forces during 2026. The department said Beijing H&C also worked with Duna to export military equipment to Cuba during 2026. The measures also covered Cuban electronics importer Cubaelectrónica and technical-services company Tecnosime. Washington said a new determination permits sanctions against foreign persons operating in Cuba’s manufacturing, technology, electronics and marine sectors. It said its measures target the government and its enablers, while humanitarian trade in food, medicine and medical devices remains authorized. On November 6, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun defended China–Cuba cooperation as legitimate, rejected unilateral sanctions lacking international-law or UN Security Council authorization, and said Beijing would protect Chinese businesses’ legitimate interests.