Story perspectives

Trump Expands Cuba Sanctions, Extends Lukoil Deadline

5/2/2026

Summary

Story summary

President Donald Trump signed an executive order on May 1 broadening U.S. sanctions to foreign persons operating in Cuba’s energy, defence, mining, financial or security sectors.
The Treasury extended the deadline for foreign buyers of Lukoil’s assets to May 30.
China’s UN ambassador Fu Cong, State Department spokesman Thomas Pigott and Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodríguez each criticized the sanctions, calling them unfair, targeting shadow-banking networks and violating the United Nations Charter.

History

Historical Context

After President Dwight D. Eisenhower imposed the first comprehensive U.S. trade embargo on Cuba in October 1960, successive administrations have kept the blockade in place. President Donald Trump’s 29 January 2026 executive order expands sanctions to energy, defense, mining and finance firms, prompting UN experts to denounce the move as a breach of international law.

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Story summary

President Donald Trump signed an executive order on May 1 broadening U.S. sanctions to foreign persons operating in Cuba’s energy, defence, mining, financial or security sectors.
The Treasury extended the deadline for foreign buyers of Lukoil’s assets to May 30.
China’s UN ambassador Fu Cong, State Department spokesman Thomas Pigott and Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodríguez each criticized the sanctions, calling them unfair, targeting shadow-banking networks and violating the United Nations Charter.

1 / 2