00:00The United States has imposed additional sanctions on Cuba by blacklisting three officials and nine state entities linked to the
00:08metals, mining and construction sectors.
00:11The measures target senior figures at the Cuban Institute of Friendship with the Peoples and several state bodies, including Cuba's
00:17Ministry of Construction.
00:21Secretary of State Marco Rubio accused the Institute of using cultural and educational programs to influence people in the United
00:28States in ways he said could weaken U.S. institutions.
00:32Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez rejected the sanctions and accused Washington of deliberately trying to damage Cuba's economy and restrict
00:40essential government services.
00:43Rodriguez warned that the measures could disrupt shipments of food, medicines and medical equipment, as well as goods purchased by
00:50Cuba's private small business.
00:52The measures followed an executive order signed by U.S. President Donald Trump in May that expanded sanctions against Cuban
00:59officials, security forces and their supporters.
