Story perspectives

Hotel Chains, Visa Processor Leave Cuba to Dodge Secondary Sanctions

6/5/2026

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Hotel Chains Exit Cuba

Three international hotel chains and a Visa-Mastercard processing bank announced they are leaving Cuba to avoid U.S. secondary sanctions.
U.S. President Donald Trump’s administration gave foreign companies until Friday to withdraw from venture run by the Cuban military conglomerate.
The Treasury Department sanctioned President Miguel Diaz-Canel, his wife, stepson, Castro family, and armed forces.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio warned anyone serving sanctioned Cuban entities faces secondary sanctions.

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Trump Expands Sanctions

U.S. President Donald Trump signed an executive order on May 1 expanding sanctions to firms dealing with Cuba’s military conglomerate GAESA.
The State Department added GAESA and affiliates to the sanctions list, setting a June 5 wind-down deadline for foreign firms.
U.S. officials argue the hardship stems from the Cuban dictatorship’s policies, not the embargo.
They note U.S. law still permits exports of food, medicine and medical equipment.

History

Historical Context

The Helms-Burton Act, signed on March 12 1996 by President Bill Clinton and sponsored by Senator Jesse Helms and Rep. Dan Burton, extended U.S. sanctions to firms trading with Cuba and authorized claims exceeding $1.8 billion. The EU, Canada and allies condemned its extraterritorial reach, prompting a WTO dispute. In May 2020, the Trump administration invoked the law, ordering Visa-Mastercard, Marriott, Hilton and InterContinental to cut GAESA contracts by June 5.

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Hotel Chains Exit Cuba

Three international hotel chains and a Visa-Mastercard processing bank announced they are leaving Cuba to avoid U.S. secondary sanctions.
U.S. President Donald Trump’s administration gave foreign companies until Friday to withdraw from venture run by the Cuban military conglomerate.
The Treasury Department sanctioned President Miguel Diaz-Canel, his wife, stepson, Castro family, and armed forces.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio warned anyone serving sanctioned Cuban entities faces secondary sanctions.

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