US Sanctions Cuban Military Supply Chain, Citing Russian and Chinese Arms Procurement

On August 6, 2026, Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced sanctions on five Cuban companies and eight individuals, including Defence Minister Alvaro Lopez Miera. The US says targeted firms like Tecnoimport import Russian and Chinese military equipment, while EMI Yuri Gagarin maintains Cuba's Russian-made aircraft. Rubio called Cuba a "staging ground" for Russia, China, and Iran—claims Havana denies.