A documented history · 1917 – 2026

The Cuba Blockade

A chronological archive of U.S. laws, executive actions, regulations, and sanctions that have shaped the economic blockade of Cuba — from the Trading with the Enemy Act of 1917 to the present.

39
documented instruments: 1917–2026
years covered: 53
primary sources: 1
proposed measures

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39 of 39 entries

1917

FEDERAL LAW· In force

Trading with the Enemy Act

Citation: P.L. 65-91, 40 Stat. 411
Authority: U.S. Congress; signed by President Woodrow Wilson

Wartime statute granting the President authority to regulate commercial transactions with enemy nations and to investigate, regulate, or prohibit transactions under a declared national emergency. Section 5(b) of the Act became the legal authority later invoked to impose economic controls against Cuba.

The Cuba embargo rests in part on Section 5(b) authority under the Trading with the Enemy Act, which is exercised with respect to Cuba and maintained by annual continuation notices published in the Federal Register.

Trade
Finance

Sources

40 Stat. 411 — Trading with the Enemy Act (Statutes at Large) — GovInfo (primary)
The International Emergency Economic Powers Act: Origins, Evolution, and Use (CRS R45618) — Congress.gov

1961

FEDERAL LAW· In force

Foreign Assistance Act of 1961

Citation: P.L. 87-195, 75 Stat. 424; 22 U.S.C. 2151 et seq.
Authority: U.S. Congress; signed by President John F. Kennedy

Principal statute governing U.S. foreign assistance. Section 620(a) barred U.S. economic assistance to Cuba (subject to a presidential waiver that was not exercised), establishing a congressional basis for economic measures against the Cuban government.

Proclamation 3447 of February 3, 1962 cited Section 620(a) of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 as statutory authority for the trade embargo. Section 620A of the Act later codified sanctions against state sponsors of terrorism.

Trade
Finance

Sources

75 Stat. 424 — Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 (Statutes at Large) — GovInfo (primary)
H.R. 8400 — 87th Congress (1961-1962) — Congress.gov (primary)

1962

PRESIDENTIAL PROCLAMATION· In force

Proclamation 3447 — Embargo on All Trade with Cuba

Citation: 27 FR 1085; 3 CFR 1959-1963 Comp., p. 157
Authority: President John F. Kennedy

Imposed an embargo on all trade between the United States and Cuba, citing the authority of Section 620(a) of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 and the Trading with the Enemy Act. The proclamation prohibited the importation into the United States of goods of Cuban origin and, subject to exceptions, exports to Cuba.

The foundational presidential act of the U.S. embargo against Cuba. Its restrictions are now administered principally through the Cuban Assets Control Regulations (31 CFR Part 515) and the Export Administration Regulations.

Trade
Finance
Shipping

Sources

Proclamation 3447 — Embargo on All Trade with Cuba (codification) — National Archives (primary)
Cuba Sanctions — Sanctions Programs and Country Information — OFAC

1963

OFAC REGULATION· In force

Cuban Assets Control Regulations (CACR)

Citation: 31 CFR Part 515; 28 FR 6974
Authority: U.S. Department of the Treasury, Office of Foreign Assets Control

Comprehensive Treasury regulations issued under Section 5(b) of the Trading with the Enemy Act that blocked Cuban assets in the United States, prohibited most transactions between U.S. persons and Cuba, and made the 1962 embargo operational through a licensing regime.

The CACR remain the core regulatory instrument of the embargo. They have been amended dozens of times to ease or tighten restrictions on travel, remittances, trade, banking, and other transactions.

Trade
Finance
Banking
Property

Sources

31 CFR Part 515 — Cuban Assets Control Regulations (current text) — eCFR (primary)
Cuba Sanctions — Sanctions Programs and Country Information — OFAC

1979

FEDERAL LAW· Expired

Export Administration Act of 1979

Citation: P.L. 96-72, 93 Stat. 503
Authority: U.S. Congress; signed by President Jimmy Carter

Established the statutory framework for U.S. export controls administered by the Department of Commerce, including a comprehensive license requirement for exports and reexports to Cuba and U.S. persons activities. Cuba is treated as a controlled destination under the Export Administration Regulations.

The statutory foundation for Commerce Department export controls against Cuba. The Act itself lapsed in 2001; the Export Administration Regulations are now maintained under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act.

Export Controls
Trade

Sources

93 Stat. 503 — Export Administration Act of 1979 (Statutes at Large) — GovInfo (primary)
H.R. 4034 — 96th Congress (1979-1980) — Congress.gov (primary)

1982

TERRORISM DESIGNATION· Historical

Cuba designated a State Sponsor of Terrorism

Authority: U.S. Department of State (Secretary of State)

Cuba was placed on the State Department's list of state sponsors of terrorism, established under Section 6(j) of the Export Administration Act, Section 620A of the Foreign Assistance Act, and related provisions. Cuba was among the first countries listed.

The designation imposed an additional sanctions layer — distinct from the trade embargo — including prohibitions on U.S. foreign assistance, restrictions on exports, and U.S. opposition to loans by international financial institutions. It remained in force until 2015.

Terrorism Designation
Trade
Finance

Sources

State Sponsors of Terrorism (current and historical list) — U.S. Department of State (primary)

1992

FEDERAL LAW· In force

Cuban Democracy Act (Torricelli Act)

Citation: P.L. 102-484, Title XVII, 106 Stat. 2315; 22 U.S.C. 6001-6010
Authority: U.S. Congress; signed by President George H. W. Bush

Codified the embargo as statutory policy. The Act directed the President to maintain the embargo, imposed sanctions on countries assisting Cuba, prohibited U.S. subsidiaries in third countries from trading with Cuba, and restricted shipping: vessels that called on Cuban ports were barred from U.S. ports for 180 days.

The first major statute to codify the embargo, converting the presidential embargo into a statutory one and extending its reach to foreign subsidiaries of U.S. companies.

Trade
Shipping
Investment
Third Countries

Sources

National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 1993 (H.R. 5006) — Congress.gov (primary)
Public Law 102-484 (full text) — GovInfo (primary)

1996

FEDERAL LAW· In force

Cuban Liberty and Democratic Solidarity Act (Helms-Burton Act)

Citation: P.L. 104-114, 110 Stat. 785; 22 U.S.C. 6021-6091
Authority: U.S. Congress; signed by President William J. Clinton

Codified the embargo and conditioned the lifting of restrictions on political transition in Cuba. Title III created a private right of action allowing U.S. nationals to sue persons who “traffic” in property confiscated from them by the Cuban government. Title IV authorizes the denial of visas to such persons.

Central statute of the modern blockade. Title III was suspended by successive Presidents until the waiver was allowed to lapse in May 2019.

Trade
Property
Finance
Investment

Sources

Public Law 104-114 (full text) — Congress.gov (primary)
S. 381 — 104th Congress (1995-1996) — Congress.gov (primary)

2000

FEDERAL LAW· In force

Trade Sanctions Reform and Export Enhancement Act

Citation: P.L. 106-387, Title IX, 114 Stat. 1549; 22 U.S.C. 7201-7207
Authority: U.S. Congress; signed by President William J. Clinton

Authorized the export of agricultural commodities, food, medicine, and medical supplies to Cuba under a license regime, while retaining the embargo on most other commerce and requiring that such sales be conducted on a cash-basis with payment before transfer.

Created a limited statutory exception to the trade embargo for food and medical goods, a channel that has continued to operate under later tightening and easing measures.

Trade
Finance

Sources

H.R. 5426 — 106th Congress (1999-2000) — Congress.gov (primary)
Public Law 106-387 (full text) — Congress.gov (primary)

2009

OFAC REGULATION· Superseded

OFAC amendments easing family travel and remittances

Citation: 74 FR 46000
Authority: U.S. Department of the Treasury, Office of Foreign Assets Control

Amended the Cuban Assets Control Regulations to permit certain family travel to Cuba, licensed remittance services, and related transactions, implementing the policy direction announced by the Obama administration in April 2009.

First major easing of travel and remittance restrictions on Cuba since they were tightened in the 1990s and 2000s.

Travel
Remittances
Finance

Sources

Cuban Assets Control Regulations, final rule (74 FR 46000) — Federal Register (primary)

2011

OFAC REGULATION· Superseded

OFAC amendments easing academic and people-to-people travel

Citation: 76 FR 5072
Authority: U.S. Department of the Treasury, Office of Foreign Assets Control

Further amended the Cuban Assets Control Regulations to expand authorized travel categories, including academic and educational travel, and to simplify the licensing of travel services.

Broadened the licensed travel framework under the embargo while tourism remained prohibited by statute.

Travel

Sources

Cuban Assets Control Regulations, final rule (76 FR 5072) — Federal Register (primary)

2014

ADMINISTRATIVE ACTION· Historical

Announcement of policy change toward Cuba

Authority: President Barack Obama

The White House announced a change in policy toward Cuba, including a framework for restoring diplomatic relations, an agreement to exchange prisoners, and a direction to review Cuba's inclusion on the state sponsors of terrorism list. It did not, by itself, alter the embargo, which required statutory and regulatory action.

Set the policy direction that led to the easing amendments to the Cuban Assets Control Regulations in 2015-2016 and the rescission of the state sponsor of terrorism designation in 2015.

Trade
Travel
Finance

Sources

FACT SHEET: Charting a New Course on Cuba — White House Archives (primary)

2015

OFAC REGULATION· Superseded

OFAC amendments implementing policy changes toward Cuba

Citation: 80 FR 2291
Authority: U.S. Department of the Treasury, Office of Foreign Assets Control

Amended the Cuban Assets Control Regulations to implement the December 2014 policy announcement, authorizing categories of travel, remittances, banking services, and other transactions that had previously required specific licenses.

Along with the companion Commerce rule, a major regulatory easing of the embargo within the limits set by statute.

Travel
Remittances
Banking
Finance

Sources

Cuban Assets Control Regulations, final rule (80 FR 2291) — Federal Register (primary)
Cuba: Providing Support for the Cuban People (80 FR 2286) — Federal Register (primary)

2015

EXPORT CONTROL· Superseded

Commerce export-control amendments for Cuba

Citation: 80 FR 2286
Authority: U.S. Department of Commerce, Bureau of Industry and Security

Amended the Export Administration Regulations to implement the December 2014 policy announcement, revising licensing policy and license exceptions for exports and reexports to Cuba of items in support of the Cuban people, including consumer communications devices.

Companion rule to the OFAC amendments, showing the parallel roles of Treasury and Commerce in the sanctions regime.

Export Controls
Telecommunications
Trade

Sources

Cuba: Providing Support for the Cuban People (80 FR 2286) — Federal Register (primary)

2015

TERRORISM DESIGNATION· Historical

Rescission of Cuba's State Sponsor of Terrorism designation

Authority: U.S. Department of State (Secretary of State)

The State Department rescinded Cuba's designation as a state sponsor of terrorism, effective May 29, 2015, after notifying Congress and receiving the required assurances that Cuba would not support international terrorism.

Removed the separate sanctions layer attached to the terrorism designation (restrictions on assistance, arms exports, and related controls) while the trade embargo and the Cuban Assets Control Regulations remained in force.

Terrorism Designation

Sources

Cuba: Implementing Rescission of State Sponsor of Terrorism Designation (80 FR 43314) — Federal Register (primary)
State Sponsors of Terrorism (current and historical list) — U.S. Department of State

2015

OFAC REGULATION· Superseded

OFAC amendments on banking, remittances, and travel

Citation: 80 FR 56915
Authority: U.S. Department of the Treasury, Office of Foreign Assets Control

Further amended the Cuban Assets Control Regulations to authorize correspondent banking relationships, expand authorized remittances and travel, and permit certain transactions by Cuban nationals. A companion Commerce rule revised export controls accordingly.

Continued the regulatory opening of the embargo while statutory restrictions on tourism and comprehensive trade remained.

Banking
Remittances
Travel
Finance

Sources

Cuban Assets Control Regulations, final rule (80 FR 56915) — Federal Register (primary)
Enhancing Support for the Cuban People (80 FR 56898) — Federal Register (primary)

2016

OFAC REGULATION· Superseded

OFAC amendments on medical, internet, and independent enterprise

Citation: 81 FR 13989
Authority: U.S. Department of the Treasury, Office of Foreign Assets Control

Amended the Cuban Assets Control Regulations to expand internet and telecommunications services, medical research collaboration, and transactions with Cuban independent entrepreneurs. A companion Commerce rule revised export controls for the same purposes.

Extended the easing into digital connectivity and private-sector activity inside Cuba.

Telecommunications
Trade
Investment

Sources

Cuban Assets Control Regulations, final rule (81 FR 13989) — Federal Register (primary)
Cuba: Revisions to License Exceptions and Licensing Policy (81 FR 13972) — Federal Register (primary)

2017

PRESIDENTIAL MEMORANDUM· Superseded

National Security Presidential Memorandum 5 — Strengthening the Policy of the United States Toward Cuba

NSPM-5

Authority: President Donald J. Trump

Directed the Secretary of State and Secretary of the Treasury to implement changes to Cuba policy, including enforcement of the statutory tourism ban, restrictions on transactions with entities controlled by the Cuban military, and limitations on certain financial flows.

Reversed parts of the 2015-2016 easing and set the direction for the November 2017 regulatory amendments.

Travel
Finance
Trade

Sources

National Security Presidential Memorandum NSPM-5 — Strengthening the Policy of the United States Toward Cuba (82 FR 48875) — Federal Register (primary)

2017

OFAC REGULATION· In force

OFAC amendments restricting transactions with listed Cuban entities

Citation: 82 FR 51998
Authority: U.S. Department of the Treasury, Office of Foreign Assets Control

Amended the Cuban Assets Control Regulations to prohibit direct financial transactions with entities and subentities on the State Department's Cuba Restricted List, and to re-impose restrictions on certain travel and remittance categories implementing NSPM-5.

The main regulatory tightening after the 2017 NSPM-5, restoring restrictions on travel, remittances, and transactions with the Cuban military-linked economy.

Travel
Remittances
Finance
Trade

Sources

Cuban Assets Control Regulations, final rule (82 FR 51998) — Federal Register (primary)
The State Department's List of Entities and Subentities Associated With Cuba (Cuba Restricted List) (82 FR 52089) — Federal Register (primary)

2017

EXPORT CONTROL· In force

Commerce export-control amendments implementing Cuba policy

Citation: 82 FR 51983
Authority: U.S. Department of Commerce, Bureau of Industry and Security

Amended the Export Administration Regulations to align export and reexport licensing policy with NSPM-5, including revisions affecting exports to entities on the Cuba Restricted List.

Companion rule to the OFAC November 2017 amendments, demonstrating the parallel Treasury and Commerce implementation of presidential policy.

Export Controls
Trade

Sources

Amendments To Implement United States Policy Toward Cuba (82 FR 51983) — Federal Register (primary)

2019

ADMINISTRATIVE ACTION· In force

Activation of Title III of the Helms-Burton Act

Authority: Executive branch decision not to renew the Title III suspension

After the Secretary of State announced on April 17, 2019 that the suspension of Title III would not be extended, the Title III private right of action under the Cuban Liberty and Democratic Solidarity Act took effect on May 2, 2019. For the first time since 1996, U.S. nationals could file suit in U.S. courts against persons trafficking in property confiscated by the Cuban government.

Ended twenty-three years of suspension of the most internationally controversial provision of the embargo, exposing foreign companies dealing in confiscated Cuban property to litigation.

Property
Investment
Third Countries

Sources

Cuba: Title III FAQs (LIBERTAD) — U.S. Department of State (2017–2021 Archive) (primary)

2019

OFAC REGULATION· In force

OFAC amendments restricting travel and certain transactions

Citation: 84 FR 25992
Authority: U.S. Department of the Treasury, Office of Foreign Assets Control

Amended the Cuban Assets Control Regulations to eliminate general licenses for group people-to-people educational travel, restrict temporary sojourn of vessels and aircraft, and tighten other travel-related authorizations.

Rolled back the 2015-2016 travel openings and narrowed the categories under which U.S. persons could travel to Cuba.

Travel
Shipping

Sources

Cuban Assets Control Regulations, final rule (84 FR 25992) — Federal Register (primary)

2019

EXPORT CONTROL· In force

Commerce restrictions on additional exports and reexports to Cuba

Citation: 84 FR 56117
Authority: U.S. Department of Commerce, Bureau of Industry and Security

Amended the Export Administration Regulations to impose a policy of denial for exports and reexports to Cuba of items previously authorized, with limited exceptions, and to restrict related U.S. person activities.

Significantly narrowed the Commerce export channels for Cuba, affecting sectors including construction, chemicals, and other commercial goods.

Export Controls
Trade
Investment

Sources

Restricting Additional Exports and Reexports to Cuba (84 FR 56117) — Federal Register (primary)

2020

OFAC REGULATION· In force

OFAC amendments limiting remittances and travel transactions

Citation: 85 FR 60068
Authority: U.S. Department of the Treasury, Office of Foreign Assets Control

Amended the Cuban Assets Control Regulations to cap remittances to Cuba at $1,000 per quarter for most categories and to prohibit certain travel-related transactions, including the use of properties owned by the Cuban government and payments to listed hotels.

Tightened the financial and travel channels for remittances and travel introduced during the normalization period.

Remittances
Travel
Finance

Sources

Cuban Assets Control Regulations, final rule (85 FR 60068) — Federal Register (primary)

2020

OFAC REGULATION· In force

OFAC amendment prohibiting family remittances

Citation: 85 FR 67988
Authority: U.S. Department of the Treasury, Office of Foreign Assets Control

Amended the Cuban Assets Control Regulations to prohibit most remittance transactions involving Cuba, including family remittances, ending a channel that had operated continuously since the 1990s. The prohibition took effect on October 27, 2020.

First time family remittances to Cuba were prohibited since the easing of the embargo, sharply affecting Cuban households and remittance-services companies.

Remittances
Finance
Banking

Sources

Cuban Assets Control Regulations, final rule (85 FR 67988) — Federal Register (primary)

2021

TERRORISM DESIGNATION· In force

Cuba redesignated a State Sponsor of Terrorism

Authority: U.S. Department of State (Secretary of State)

The outgoing Trump administration redesignated Cuba as a state sponsor of terrorism, with the determination effective January 12, 2021. The designation re-attached the separate sanctions layer of the terrorism-designation regime to Cuba.

Reinstated the additional sanctions mechanism beyond the traditional blockade framework, including restrictions on assistance, arms sales, and related export controls.

Terrorism Designation
Trade
Finance

Sources

Certification of Rescission of Cuba's Designation as a State Sponsor of Terrorism (refers to the January 12, 2021 determination) — GovInfo (primary)
State Sponsors of Terrorism (current and historical list) — U.S. Department of State

2022

OFAC REGULATION· In force

OFAC amendments restoring remittances and travel authorizations

Citation: 87 FR 35088
Authority: U.S. Department of the Treasury, Office of Foreign Assets Control

Amended the Cuban Assets Control Regulations to implement the policy announced on May 16, 2022 to increase support for the Cuban people, restoring family remittances, individual people-to-people travel, and authorizations for independent Cuban entrepreneurs and related banking.

Reversed the 2020 remittance prohibitions and partially restored the 2015-2016 travel and financial openings under the Biden administration.

Remittances
Travel
Banking
Finance

Sources

Cuban Assets Control Regulations, final rule (87 FR 35088) — Federal Register (primary)

2023

OFAC REGULATION· In force

OFAC amendments supporting internet and entrepreneurship

Citation: 88 FR 58102
Authority: U.S. Department of the Treasury, Office of Foreign Assets Control

Amended the Cuban Assets Control Regulations to further implement the May 16, 2022 policy, expanding authorizations for internet-based services, telecommunications, and transactions with independent Cuban entrepreneurs.

Continued the easing of financial restrictions around connectivity and private-sector activity in Cuba.

Telecommunications
Investment
Finance

Sources

Cuban Assets Control Regulations, final rule (88 FR 58102) — Federal Register (primary)

2024

OFAC REGULATION· In force

OFAC amendments finalizing support-for-the-Cuban-people measures

Citation: 89 FR 46323
Authority: U.S. Department of the Treasury, Office of Foreign Assets Control

Final amendments to the Cuban Assets Control Regulations implementing the remaining elements of the May 16, 2022 policy, including expanded authorizations for internet-based services, export of certain goods and services, and transactions with independent Cuban entrepreneurs.

The final major easing action of the Biden administration within the statutory framework of the embargo.

Telecommunications
Trade
Investment
Finance

Sources

Cuban Assets Control Regulations, final rule (89 FR 46323) — Federal Register (primary)

2025

ADMINISTRATIVE ACTION· Historical

Certification of rescission of Cuba's State Sponsor of Terrorism designation

Authority: President Joseph R. Biden

President Biden certified the statutory predicates for rescinding Cuba's state sponsor of terrorism designation and notified Congress of the intent to lift it, six days before the end of his term. The rescission did not take effect: the incoming administration acted to keep Cuba on the list days later.

A rescission initiated but not finalized; the designation remained in place when the new administration took office.

Terrorism Designation

Sources

Certification of Rescission of Cuba's Designation as a State Sponsor of Terrorism (DCPD-202500064) — GovInfo (primary)

2025

TERRORISM DESIGNATION· In force

Cuba kept on the State Sponsor of Terrorism list

Authority: President Donald J. Trump (acting on the first day of his term)

Acting on the first day of his term, President Trump took action to keep Cuba on the state sponsors of terrorism list, reversing the outgoing administration's January 14 rescission initiative. The State Department subsequently confirmed the reinstatement and, on January 31, re-created the Cuba Restricted List.

Confirmed that the terrorism-designation sanctions layer would remain in force under the new administration, and began the re-tightening of Cuba policy.

Terrorism Designation
Trade
Finance

Sources

Restoring a Tough U.S.-Cuba Policy (press statement, January 31, 2025) — U.S. Department of State (primary)

2025

ADMINISTRATIVE ACTION· In force

Cuba Restricted List re-issued

Citation: 90 FR 9101
Authority: U.S. Department of State

The State Department published the re-created Cuba Restricted List, prohibiting (through the Cuban Assets Control Regulations) direct financial transactions with entities and subentities controlled by the Cuban military, intelligence, or security services, including the addition of Orbit, S.A.

Restored the entity-level restrictions that had been removed in the final week of the previous administration.

Finance
Trade
Banking

Sources

Publishing the State Department's List of Entities and Subentities Associated With Cuba (Cuba Restricted List) (90 FR 9101) — Federal Register (primary)

2025

TERRORISM DESIGNATION· In force

Cuba placed on the non-fully-cooperating counterterrorism list

Authority: U.S. Department of State (Secretary of State)

The State Department listed Cuba as a country that does not fully cooperate with U.S. counterterrorism efforts, under Section 40A of the Arms Export Control Act, on the basis of an assessment of Cuba's cooperation in 2024.

Added a further designation-based restriction layer affecting defense-related cooperation, separate from the state sponsor of terrorism list, which continued to include Cuba.

Terrorism Designation
Trade

Sources

Determination and Certification of Countries Not Cooperating Fully With Antiterrorism Efforts (90 FR 23097) — Federal Register (primary)

2025

PRESIDENTIAL MEMORANDUM· In force

Reissuance of and Amendments to National Security Presidential Memorandum 5

2025 NSPM-5

Authority: President Donald J. Trump

Amended sections 1 and 3 of the 2017 NSPM-5 and reissued it in its entirety. The memorandum directs agencies to enforce the statutory tourism ban, restrict financial and travel transactions that benefit the Cuban government, military, or security services, and oppose international calls to end the embargo.

The principal statement of Cuba policy of the second Trump administration, directing the regulatory tightening implemented in 2025 and 2026.

Travel
Finance
Trade
Third Countries

Sources

National Security Presidential Memorandum/NSPM-5 (June 30, 2025) — White House (primary)
Reissuance of and Amendments to National Security Presidential Memorandum 5 (90 FR 50836) — Federal Register (primary)

2025

ADMINISTRATIVE ACTION· In force

Updates to the Cuba Restricted List and Prohibited Accommodations List

Citation: 90 FR 31558; 90 FR 31552
Authority: U.S. Department of State

The State Department updated the Cuba Restricted List and the Cuba Prohibited Accommodations List, revising the roster of entities and subentities (and hotels) with which direct financial transactions are generally prohibited under 31 CFR 515.209.

Maintained and refined the entity-level financial prohibitions following the 2025 NSPM-5.

Finance
Travel
Trade

Sources

Updating Cuba Restricted List (90 FR 31558) — Federal Register (primary)
Updating Cuba Prohibited Accommodations List (90 FR 31552) — Federal Register (primary)

2026

EXECUTIVE ORDER· In force

Executive Order 14380 — Addressing Threats to the United States by the Government of Cuba

Citation: 91 FR 5087 (Feb. 3, 2026)
Authority: President Donald J. Trump; effective January 30, 2026

Declared a national emergency with respect to Cuba under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act and the National Emergencies Act, and established a framework for imposing additional ad valorem duties on imports into the United States of goods that are products of any foreign country that directly or indirectly sells or otherwise provides oil to Cuba. The order defines “oil” as crude oil or petroleum products and states that “indirectly” includes providing oil to Cuba through intermediaries or third countries.

A new presidential authority extending the blockade's reach to third countries that supply oil to Cuba, creating a potential tariff-based secondary-measures framework distinct from the existing asset-blocking regulations.

Energy
Third Countries
Trade
Finance

Sources

Executive Order 14380 (full text) — White House (primary)
Addressing Threats to the United States by the Government of Cuba (91 FR 5087) — Federal Register (primary)
Presidential Document text (FR 2026-02250) — GovInfo (primary)

2026

FEDERAL LAWPROPOSED LEGISLATION

United States-Cuba Trade Act of 2026

H.R. 7521

Authority: Rep. James P. McGovern (D-MA); 119th Congress

A bill introduced in the House of Representatives to lift the trade embargo on Cuba and for other purposes. As introduced, it would repeal or modify the statutory bases of the embargo, including provisions of the Cuban Democracy Act of 1992 and the Cuban Liberty and Democratic Solidarity Act of 1996, extend nondiscriminatory treatment to Cuban products, and remove restrictions on travel and related transactions.

Introduction of a bill does not change existing law. As of the date of this entry, H.R. 7521 had been referred to committees and had not been enacted. This entry is presented as proposed legislation, not as law.

Trade
Travel
Finance
Investment

Sources

H.R. 7521 — 119th Congress (2025-2026) — Congress.gov (primary)
H.R. 7521 — United States-Cuba Trade Act of 2026 (introduced text) — GovInfo (primary)
McGovern Introduces New Bill To Repeal U.S. Embargo Against Cuba — Office of Representative James P. McGovern

2026

EXECUTIVE ORDER· In force

Executive Order 14404 — Imposing Sanctions on Those Responsible for Repression in Cuba and for Threats to United States National Security and Foreign Policy

Citation: 91 FR 25061 (May 7, 2026)
Authority: President Donald J. Trump

Established a new sanctions program under the national emergency declared in Executive Order 14380. It authorizes the blocking of property and suspension of entry into the United States of persons determined to operate in the energy, defense, metals and mining, financial services, or security sectors of the Cuban economy, to be owned or controlled by the Government of Cuba, to be responsible for serious human rights abuse or corruption in Cuba, and related categories. It also authorizes sanctions against foreign financial institutions that conduct significant transactions for blocked persons.

A major expansion of the sanctions framework beyond the traditional embargo, adding entity- and sector-based designations and secondary-sanctions risk for foreign financial institutions dealing with designated Cuban-related persons.

Finance
Banking
Energy
Property
Third Countries

Sources

Executive Order 14404 (full text) — White House (primary)
Imposing Sanctions on Those Responsible for Repression in Cuba (91 FR 25061) — Federal Register (primary)
Issuance of Executive Order Imposing Sanctions on Those Responsible for Repression in Cuba — OFAC (primary)

2026

ADMINISTRATIVE ACTION· In force

Designation of persons, including GAESA, under Executive Order 14404

Authority: U.S. Department of State

Acting under the authority of Executive Order 14404, the State Department designated three persons, including Grupo de Administración Empresarial S.A. (GAESA), the conglomerate that manages much of the Cuban military's business empire. The designations block the property and interests in property of the designated persons.

The first designations issued under the new EO 14404 sanctions authority, applying the sector- and entity-based framework established the previous week.

Finance
Banking
Trade

Sources

U.S. Sanctions Target Cuba's Military Regime, Elites (designation action) — U.S. Department of State (primary)