Executive Order 14404 of May 1, 2026 Imposing Sanctions on Those Responsible for Repression in Cuba and for Threats to United States National Security and Foreign Policy

Executive Order Overview and Authority

• Executive Order 14404, issued on May 1, 2026, by the President, imposes sanctions on individuals and entities responsible for repression in Cuba and for actions threatening United States national security and foreign policy.
• The order is issued under the authority of the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA), the National Emergencies Act (NEA), section 212(f) of the Immigration and Nationality Act, and section 301 of title 3, United States Code.
• It builds upon and continues the national emergency declared in Executive Order 14380 of January 29, 2026, which addressed threats posed by the Government of Cuba.

Policy Statement

• The Executive Order reaffirms that the policies, practices, and actions of the Government of Cuba continue to constitute an unusual and extraordinary threat to the national security and foreign policy of the United States.
• These actions are explicitly described as designed to harm the United States and as being "repugnant to the moral and political values of free and democratic societies."

Sanctionable Conduct and Property Blocking

• Compliance Requirement: All property and interests in property of designated foreign persons that are in the United States or come within the possession or control of any United States person are blocked and may not be transferred, paid, exported, withdrawn, or otherwise dealt in.
• Designation criteria are extensive, including operating in key sectors of the Cuban economy (energy, defense, financial services, security, or other determined sectors), being owned/controlled by or acting on behalf of the Government of Cuba or blocked persons, materially assisting such entities, or being a leader/official of the Government of Cuba or a blocked entity.
• Further criteria for designation include responsibility for serious human rights abuse or corruption related to Cuba (e.g., misappropriation of public assets, expropriation, bribery), or being an adult family member of a designated person.
• Compliance Requirement: United States persons are prohibited from engaging in any transaction or dealing in blocked property, including making or receiving contributions of funds, goods, or services to or for the benefit of blocked persons. Evasion, avoidance, attempts to violate, or conspiracy to violate these prohibitions are also forbidden, and no prior notice of designation will be given to prevent asset transfer.

Travel Restrictions

• The order suspends the entry into the United States, as immigrants or nonimmigrants, of aliens determined to meet the sanctionable conduct criteria outlined in Section 2(a)(i).
• An exception may be granted if the Secretary of State, or their designee, determines that the person's entry is in the national interest of the United States.
• Such persons shall be treated in the same manner as persons covered by section 1 of Proclamation 8693 of July 24, 2011.

Sanctions on Foreign Financial Institutions

• Compliance Requirement: The Secretary of the Treasury, in consultation with the Secretary of State, is authorized to impose sanctions on foreign financial institutions that conduct or facilitate significant transactions for or on behalf of any person whose property is blocked under this order.
• Sanctions may include prohibiting or imposing strict conditions on the maintenance of correspondent or payable-through accounts in the United States.
• Alternatively, or additionally, all property and interests in property of such foreign financial institutions that are in the United States or come within the possession or control of any United States person may be blocked.
• Compliance Requirement: Prohibitions extend to making or receiving contributions of funds, goods, or services by, to, or for the benefit of any person whose property is blocked under this subsection.

Implementation and Reporting

• The Secretary of State and the Secretary of the Treasury are directed to take all necessary actions to implement and effectuate this order, including through temporary suspension or amendment of regulations, Federal Register notices, and adopting rules, regulations, or guidance.
• The Secretary of the Treasury, in consultation with the Secretary of State, is directed to submit recurring and final reports to Congress regarding the national emergency declared in Executive Order 14380 and the authorities exercised under this order, consistent with section 401 of the NEA and section 204(c) of IEEPA.

Key Definitions

• "United States person" is defined broadly to include any U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident, entity organized under U.S. law (including foreign branches of such entities), or any person in the United States.
• "Government of Cuba" encompasses the government itself, any political subdivision, agency, or instrumentality thereof (including the Central Bank of Cuba), and any person owned, controlled, or acting for or on behalf of the Government of Cuba.
• "Foreign financial institution" is defined as any foreign entity engaged in various financial businesses, including accepting deposits, making loans, buying/selling foreign exchange or securities, and includes a wide range of financial entities, with specific exclusions for certain international financial institutions.