US issues new Cuba sanctions as UN experts warn of ‘energy starvation’

The United States has imposed new sanctions on Cuba, targeting the military-controlled conglomerate GAESA and its executive president. These measures come as UN experts warned of "energy starvation" due to an ongoing US fuel blockade against the island. The sanctions, announced by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, aim to pressure Cuba's government into implementing political and economic reforms. Sherritt International, a partner in a joint venture with GAESA, has suspended its direct participation in Cuba following the sanctions. Cuba's government has previously condemned similar US actions as "collective punishment."

The Trump administration has sanctioned Moa Nickel SA, a joint venture between Canadian miner Sherritt International and Cuba's state-owned General Nickel Company. This action, announced by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, targets Cuba's military-controlled economy and is part of a broader pressure campaign against Havana. In response, Sherritt International has suspended its direct participation in the joint venture and begun repatriating its expatriate employees from Cuba. The sanctions have potential implications for China-linked battery supply chains, as nickel is a critical mineral for battery production. This move signifies an expansion of US pressure into the critical minerals sector.