WASHINGTON — The Trump administration has intensified pressure on Cuba’s communist government through a series of actions targeting individuals and entities linked to the island’s leadership.
A key development came on May 22, 2026, when U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) arrested Adys Lastres Morera in Miami. Lastres Morera is the sister of Ania Guillermina Lastres Morera, the executive president of Grupo de Administración Empresarial S.A. (GAESA), a military-controlled business conglomerate that U.S. officials say plays a dominant role in Cuba’s economy. Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced that he had revoked her lawful permanent resident status, citing concerns that her presence in the United States conflicted with American foreign policy interests. She remains in ICE custody while deportation proceedings continue.
Rubio stated that the administration is expanding scrutiny of relatives of officials associated with governments it considers hostile to U.S. interests. The move aligns with a broader strategy emphasizing stronger U.S. influence in the Western Hemisphere and increased pressure on Cuba’s ruling establishment.
Additional measures reportedly include efforts to limit Venezuelan oil shipments to Cuba, contributing to fuel shortages and economic strain on the island. Meanwhile, federal prosecutors have unsealed an indictment against former Cuban President Raúl Castro related to the 1996 downing of civilian aircraft operated by Miami-based exile groups.
Cuban officials have condemned the actions as interference in the country’s affairs. Analysts say the combination of economic, legal, and diplomatic pressure could significantly affect future U.S.-Cuba relations and the island’s political landscape.
