WASHINGTON, Aug 20 (Reuters) - The United States tightened sanctions on Cuba on Thursday, blacklisting three officials tied to a state-run organization that promotes Cuba's ties with foreign solidarity activists, along with nine state entities in the metals, mining and construction sectors.
The sanctions targeted the leadership of the Cuban Institute of Friendship with the Peoples (ICAP) and designated entities including the Ministry of Construction of Cuba for supporting the island nation's government.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio accused ICAP of sponsoring what he called "a vast subversive network" in the United States under the cover of educational and cultural exchanges.
He said Cuba had recently tried to use events around Fidel Castro's 100th birthday to bring sympathizers to Havana and connect them with government officials.
"Today's designations make clear that the Trump Administration will not tolerate the Cuban regime's efforts to fund its repression or continue its decades-long campaign of subversive anti-American activities," Rubio said.
Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez shot back in a post on X, accusing Washington of deliberately trying to damage Cuba's economy and block the government from providing basic services.
He said the measures would hinder shipments of food, medicines and medical devices, much of them bought by Cuban private small businesses, and called the targeting of ICAP officials part of Rubio's "failed obsession" with Cuba.
Thursday's actions followed an executive order by President Donald Trump in May that broadened sanctions against Cuban government officials, security forces and their supporters.
(Reporting by Ismail Shakil and Katharine Jackson; Additional reporting by Kylie Madry; Editing by Rod Nickel and Alistair Bell)
