Cairo, October 2, 2026. Egyptian newspapers highlighted yesterday the new sanctions imposed on Cuba by the U.S. government, describing them as a further escalation of the U.S. blockade against the island, aimed at tightening the noose around the Cuban government. These sanctions impose additional restrictions on certain financial transactions and on travel by U.S. citizens to Cuba.
The articles note that under these new sanctions, announced by the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) of the U.S. Department of the Treasury, indirect financial transactions with sanctioned Cuban entities are prohibited, particularly those linked to security services and GAESA.
The sanctions also prohibit “reverse transactions,” which previously allowed U.S. banks to process dollar-denominated payments related to Cuba, provided that the funds originated and were destined outside the United States and did not involve U.S. citizens. In addition, the new sanctions revoke the license that allowed U.S. banks to “open and maintain bank accounts in the name of a Cuban citizen working as an independent entrepreneur in the private sector.”
It is also noted that, as a result of these changes, cultural exchange trips—or so-called “people-to-people” programs—as well as conferences and business meetings, now require prior authorization.
The articles refer to the accusations made by the U.S. President during his speech at the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly, where he stated that Cuba poses an “extraordinary threat” to U.S. national security, describing it as a failed state—a remark that prompted the Cuban delegation to walk out of the hall during the U.S. president’s speech.
Furthermore, reference is also made to Cuba’s statement during the same United Nations session, which contained strong criticism of the policies of successive U.S. administrations toward Cuba. Under the presidency of Donald Trump, these policies resulted in successive sanctions that caused serious damage to the energy and healthcare sectors, thereby increasing the suffering of the Cuban people. (EmbaCuba Egipto)