Three Republican congress members of Cuban descent expressed their support on Friday for President Donald Trump's latest executive order, which intensifies U.S. sanctions on Cuba. The order accuses the Cuban regime of aligning with Iran and Hezbollah.
The action, highlighted by the Economic Times, also points to Cuba's connections with Russia, China, and Hamas, noting that Havana offers a permissive environment for intelligence, military, and terrorist operations just under 100 miles from U.S. shores.
Political Responses from Cuban-American Representatives
Representative Carlos A. Giménez was quick to react publicly on social media platform X with the hashtag #SOSCuba: "New sanctions and concrete measures signed today by Executive Order from President Donald Trump against the dictatorship in Cuba! The regime must understand that if it continues to operate in bad faith, much harsher consequences will follow."
Representative María Elvira Salazar offered a sharper geopolitical analysis: "The era of turning a blind eye is over," she stated, characterizing Cuba's alignment with Iran as "a national security reality just 90 miles from our shores" rather than "speculation."
Salazar also praised Trump's maximum pressure strategy: "He understands exactly what we are dealing with and is willing to confront it. I commend him for acting to protect our national security and for standing with the Cuban people in their fight for freedom."Meanwhile, Representative Nicole Malliotakis emphasized, "For decades, Cuba has harbored our fugitives, provided a safe haven for terrorists and adversaries, and oppressed and even murdered its own people," endorsing both Trump's actions and those of Secretary of State Marco Rubio.
Historical Context of the Executive Order
This new executive order is the latest in a series of pressure tactics that began on January 29, 2026, when Trump signed Executive Order 14380. This order labeled Cuba as an "unusual and extraordinary threat" to national security and imposed tariffs on countries supplying oil to the island.
Since that time, the administration has enforced over 240 new sanctions and intercepted at least seven tankers en route to Cuba, effectively cutting off 80% to 90% of Cuba's oil imports.
In February 2026, the Supreme Court declared additional tariffs illegal under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act, prompting a new order to remove them while maintaining ship inspections.
The Geopolitical Implications of Cuba-Iran Relations
The same Cuban-American lawmakers have played a pivotal role in urging the executive branch to toughen its stance on Cuba. This includes a letter requesting Trump to consider prosecuting Raúl Castro for the 1996 shootdown of Brothers to the Rescue planes.
The new order adds the Cuba-Iran relationship as an additional justification, a connection that has grown more geopolitically significant for Washington.
Meanwhile, the Cuban regime has accused the U.S. of imposing "collective punishment" on the island's population.
The Department of Justice has an ongoing task force exploring federal charges against Cuban officials, overseen by the Southern District of Florida's U.S. Attorney's Office, indicating that pressure on Havana might escalate beyond economic measures.
Understanding the Impact of U.S. Sanctions on Cuba
What are the main reasons behind the new U.S. sanctions on Cuba?
The new sanctions are primarily due to Cuba's alignment with Iran and Hezbollah, and its connections with Russia, China, and Hamas. The U.S. sees these relationships as threats to national security.
How have Cuban-American lawmakers reacted to the executive order?
Cuban-American lawmakers have expressed strong support for the executive order, praising it as a necessary step to confront the Cuban regime's actions and to protect U.S. national security.
What impact have previous sanctions had on Cuba?
Previous sanctions have significantly reduced Cuba's oil imports by 80% to 90% and pressured the Cuban government economically, attempting to limit its ability to support adversarial activities.