U.S. Embassy publishes list of entities, hotels, and businesses in Cuba restricted by the U.S. government

The United States reactivated and expanded the list of restricted entities in Cuba, while also tightening economic restrictions on them. Complete list in each of the provinces of Cuba.

The United States Embassy in Havana confirmed the release of the new List of Restricted Entities and Sub-Entities Associated with Cuba, which prohibits direct financial transactions with numerous companies and institutions linked to the Cuban government and military sector.

Publishing the State Department’s List of Entities and Subentities Associated With Cuba (Cuba Restricted List)https://t.co/FMAiorIH3u

— United States Embassy in Cuba (@USEmbCuba) February 8, 2025

The measure is part of the Cuban Asset Control Regulations (CACR) and aims to prevent these entities from deriving economic benefits from transactions with U.S. citizens and companies.

Restoration of restrictions after their temporary removal

The announcement from the Department of State comes after the reversal of a previous decision that had removed the list in January 2025.

According to the official statement, the measure responds to the reactivation of Presidential National Security Memorandum 5 (NSPM-5), which means that any entity listed will be excluded from transactions with U.S. citizens and companies.

The decision particularly affects key sectors of the Cuban economy, such as tourism, commerce, and finance, since many of the companies on the list are linked to the Revolutionary Armed Forces (FAR) and the Ministry of the Interior (MININT).

Companies and sectors affected by the measure

The updated list includes ministries, holding companies, hotels, travel agencies, marinas, security companies, and other firms with state ties. Below are the sanctioned entities and sub-entities:

Ministries

• MINFAR – Ministry of the Revolutionary Armed Forces
• MININT – Ministry of the Interior

Holding companies

• CIMEX – CIMEX Corporation S.A.
• GAESA – Business Administration Group S.A.
• Gaviota – Gaviota Tourism Group
• UIM – Military Industry Union
• Habaguanex S.A. Tourist Company

Hotels in Havana and Old Havana

• Montehabana Apart-Hotel
• Grand Hotel Bristol Kempinski
• Grand Hotel Manzana Kempinski
• H10 Havana Panorama
• Valencia Hostel
• Both Worlds Hotel
• Armadores de Santander Hotel
• Beltrán Hotel in Santa Cruz
• Conde de Villanueva Hotel
• Hotel del Tejadillo
• The Forest Hotel
• Hotel the Commander
• Hotel the Mesón de la Flota
• Florida Hotel
• Habana 612 Hotel
• Kohly Hotel
• Los Frailes Hotel
• Marqués de Prado Ameno Hotel
• Cueto Palace Hotel
• Palace Hotel of the Marquis of San Felipe and Santiago de Bejucal
• O’Farrill Palace Hotel
• Raquel Hotel
• Regis Hotel
• San Miguel Hotel
• Telegraph Hotel
• Hotel Terral
• Iberostar Grand Packard
• SO/Havana Paseo del Prado

Hotels in Santiago de Cuba

• Villa Gaviota Santiago

Hotels in Varadero

• Blau Marina Varadero Resort
• Fiesta Americana Punta Varadero
• Grand Aston Varadero Resort
• Grand Memories Varadero
• Las Nubes Hotel
• Oasis Hotel
• Iberostar Bella Vista
• Iberostar Laguna Azul
• Iberostar Playa Alameda
• Meliá Marina Varadero
• Meliá Peninsula Varadero
• Varadero Memories
• Paradisus Princess of the Sea
• Paradisus Varadero
• Sol Coral Sirens

Hotels in Pinar del Río

• Villa Hotel Cabo de San Antonio
• Villa María La Gorda Hotel and International Diving Center

Hotels in Baracoa

• Hostel 1511
• La Habanera Hostel
• The Russian Hostel
• Rio Miel Hostel
• El Castillo Hotel
• Porto Santo Hotel
• Villa Maguana

Hotels in Villa Clara Cays

• Angsana Cayo Santa María
• Dhawa Cayo Santa María
• Grand Aston Cayo Las Brujas Beach Resort & Spa
• Cayo Santa María Beach Hotel
• Iberostar Ensenachos
• Meliá Cayo Santa María
• Meliá Las Dunas
• Paradisus Los Cayos
• Royalton Cayo Santa María
• Valentin White Pearl

Hotels in Holguín

• Blau Costa Verde Beach & Resort
• Fiesta Americana Holguín Costa Verde
• Costa Verde Beach Hotel
• Playa Pesquero Hotel
• Holguín Memories
• Paradisus Río de Oro Resort & Spa
• Sun River of Moon and Seas

Hotels in Jardines del Rey

• Cayo Guillermo Resort Kempinski
• Grand Muthu Cayo Guillermo
• Iberostar Playa Pilar
• Meliá Jardines del Rey
• Cayo Coco Tab

Security and military services companies

• Fire Protection Agency (APCI)
• Yuri Gagarin Military-Industrial Company
• Organization Integration for Social Welfare (OIBS)
• Revolutionary National Police (RNP)
• Specialized Protection Services (SEPSA)

Banks and financial companies

• International Financial Bank S.A. (BFI)
• FINCIMEX – Key company in remittance processing

Logistics and Port Infrastructure

• Mariel Special Development Zone (ZEDM)
• Havana Container Terminal (TCH)
• Mariel Container Terminal, S.A.
• UCM – Union of Military Constructions

Stores and shops in Old Havana

• Fan House
• Habana Collection
• Joyería Coral Negro
• The Gift House
• Museum Store El Reloj Cuervo y Sobrinos

Impact on the Cuban economy

The reactivation of the list hits strategic sectors of the Cuban economy, especially tourism and finance. Hotels, banks, import companies, and key economic zones are excluded from any type of transaction with U.S. entities, which limits their access to foreign investment and hampers their operations.

The Cuban government has not yet issued an official response regarding the restoration of the list, although in the past it has described these measures as an attempt to economically suffocate the country.

The United States, for its part, has stated that it will continue updating the list periodically to include new entities it considers controlled by the Revolutionary Armed Forces (FAR) or the Ministry of the Interior (MININT).