The administration of President Donald Trump declared on Friday that the Cuban regime will be held accountable for its alleged support of "hostile actors," "terrorism," and "regional instability."
A statement released by the State Department and shared on social media emphasized that Trump "is achieving what others have not in holding adversaries accountable."
"The Cuban regime will answer for its backing of hostile elements, terrorism, and regional instability that endanger the American people," the message stated.
This announcement was paired with the release of an executive order signed by Trump, declaring a national emergency due to the belief that Cuba's policies and actions pose an "unusual and extraordinary threat" to the national security and foreign policy of the United States.
The directive, issued from the White House, is set to take effect on January 30, 2026, as outlined in the document.
In a post on X, the White House revealed that Trump signed an order not only declaring the national emergency but also "establishing a process to impose tariffs" on goods from countries that sell or "otherwise provide" oil to Cuba.
Washington's Rationale
According to the order's details, the document claims that the "Cuban regime" aligns itself with numerous hostile nations, transnational terrorist groups, and malevolent actors opposed to the United States, specifically mentioning Russia, China, Iran, Hamas, and Hezbollah.
The text further asserts that Cuba "harbors dangerous adversaries" and allows the establishment of "military and intelligence capabilities" that, according to the order, directly threaten U.S. national security.
Among the accusations, the order claims that Cuba maintains "the largest Russian intelligence base outside" Russia and continues to deepen defense and intelligence cooperation with China.
The document also accuses Havana of providing a "safe haven" to organizations like Hezbollah and Hamas, enabling them to establish economic, cultural, and security ties in the region.
Additionally, it denounces the Cuban "communist regime" for supporting terrorism, "destabilizing the region" through migration and violence, and committing human rights violations against dissidents by restricting freedom of speech, worship, and the press, as noted in the cited text.
The order establishes a tariff system allowing Washington to impose additional duties on imports from countries that sell or supply oil to Cuba, whether directly or indirectly.
Moreover, it assigns the Secretary of Commerce the task of determining if a country is engaged in such operations, and the Secretary of State, in consultation with other agencies, the authority to decide whether tariffs should be applied and to what extent.
As described, the order directs the State Department to regularly monitor and report to Congress on the declared emergency and any related actions.
This decision is part of the "America First" policy and follows previous measures to tighten restrictions.
As a precedent, in June 2025, Trump signed a national security memorandum and imposed travel restrictions on Cuban citizens due to the country's designation as a state sponsor of terrorism and its "lack of cooperation" in migration and judicial matters.
The escalating geopolitical tensions in the Caribbean and the rapidly deteriorating conditions within Cuba have raised alarms, prompting several embassies and international companies to discreetly update evacuation protocols in anticipation of a potential major emergency on the island.
Implications of U.S. Policies on Cuba
What are the reasons behind the U.S. declaring a national emergency regarding Cuba?
The U.S. declared a national emergency due to Cuba's alignment with hostile nations and groups, posing significant threats to American national security and foreign policy.
How does the executive order affect international trade with Cuba?
The order establishes tariffs on countries that sell or provide oil to Cuba, aiming to exert economic pressure on the Cuban regime.
What entities does the U.S. associate with the Cuban regime in terms of security threats?
The U.S. identifies entities like Russia, China, Iran, Hamas, and Hezbollah as aligned with the Cuban regime, contributing to security concerns.