Trump Implements Maximum Pressure Sanctions Against Cuba

The United States Department of the Treasury implemented a new package of sanctions and travel restrictions against Cuba effective September 30, 2026. Acting under Executive Order 14404 signed by President Donald Trump, the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) introduced measures designed to isolate the Cuban regime through a maximum pressure policy.

Financial restrictions now prohibit U.S. banks from processing U-Turn transactions involving Cuban interests and forbid the maintenance of accounts for independent Cuban entrepreneurs. The Treasury expanded the financial ban on entities on the Cuba Restricted List to include indirect operations and warned foreign financial institutions that facilitating transactions with blocked persons could result in sanctions.

Travel regulations were also tightened, including the revocation of general licenses for professional meetings. The government eliminated people-to-people group educational travel, which now requires sponsorship and oversight by a U.S. organization. Despite these restrictions on energy and defense sectors, General License 1 remains in effect to allow the delivery of food, medicine, and family remittances.