U.S. Sanctions Target Key Cuban Organization

Secretary of State Marco Rubio has issued a warning to U.S. organizations: they can no longer conduct business with a significant Cuban entity that has spent over sixty years fostering relationships with U.S. activists and groups, many of which are now connected to American businessman Neville Roy Singham.

The Cuban Institute of Friendship with the Peoples (ICAP)

The sanctions primarily target the Cuban Institute of Friendship with the Peoples, referred to by its Spanish acronym, ICAP. Founded by Fidel Castro in 1960, ICAP’s mission has been to promote Marxist ideology and support for Cuba. Long seen by U.S. officials as a critical element of Cuba’s intelligence framework, ICAP is accused of collaborating closely with various U.S. nonprofits to propagate Cuba’s political agenda.

Statements from Rubio

“For decades, Cuba has been the world capital for radical left-wing terrorism,” Rubio stated. “The regime in Havana has recruited, trained and backed violent Marxist and third-worldist movements across our hemisphere and beyond.” This assertion underscores the U.S. government’s views on the threats posed by Cuba to regional stability and security.

Controversial Collaborations

Earlier this year, ICAP collaborated with several U.S. nonprofits—such as the People’s Forum, Progressive International, and CodePink—to organize a “March convoy,” during which prominent figures like controversial Marxist streamer Hasan Piker visited Cuba in support of the communist regime. The trip has since attracted federal scrutiny, with CodePink co-founder Medea Benjamin confirming inquiries from federal officials regarding potential sanction violations.

Federal Investigations and Sanctions

Recent investigations have brought attention to a network of 145 organizations, collectively generating about $1 billion, that allegedly promote Cuba’s agenda and communist ideology within the U.S. “Today, we are targeting the network that enables and funds Cuba’s subversive and radical operations,” Rubio emphasized.

The organizations closely aligned with ICAP include the People’s Forum, CodePink, BreakThrough News, and Tricontinental—many of which receive significant funding from Singham, a Marxist tech investor based in Shanghai. Reports indicate that Singham has contributed around $285 million to various nonprofits since 2017, reinforcing their ties with both ICAP and the Cuban government. Singham is also married to Jodie Evans, a co-founder of CodePink.

ICAP’s Leadership and Historical Context

Currently, ICAP is led by Fernando González Llort, one of the “Cuban Five,” a group of former intelligence officers who faced espionage convictions in the U.S. Critics assert that ICAP serves as a conduit for revolutionaries worldwide, providing them with access to Cuban propaganda and organizing strategies. However, ICAP maintains that it functions as a civil society organization.

Extent of the Sanctions

Rubio designated ICAP among five entities as off-limits under the sanctions authority established by President Donald Trump’s executive order on Cuba. Other targets of these sanctions include Cuba’s Ministry of the Revolutionary Armed Forces, the Committees for the Defense of the Revolution, Minera La Victoria S.A., and the state-run tourism company Amistur Cuba S.A.—the latter of which has arranged trips to Cuba with U.S. nonprofits linked to Singham.

Historical Implications

Experts argue that these recent actions not only target the Cuban government but also U.S. institutions that allegedly facilitate the projection of Cuban influence internationally. A declassified CIA report from the Cold War titled “Cuba: Castro’s Propaganda Apparatus and Foreign Policy” described Cuba’s international propaganda efforts as integral to Castro’s strategy, mentioning ICAP as a key player in fostering sympathetic political movements abroad.

Venceremos Brigade and Political Connections

A notable example of such connections is the Venceremos Brigade, a Cuba solidarity program established in 1969 that has brought generations of American activists to Cuba through exchanges coordinated with authorities, including ICAP. Today, the Brigade operates under the auspices of the People’s Forum. Lawmakers and federal authorities are investigating whether organizations funded by Singham act on behalf of foreign interests without proper registration, potentially amplifying messages favorable to both the Chinese Communist Party and the Cuban regime.

The convoy earlier this year featured Progressive International co-founder David Adler alongside Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel and ICAP President González at an event hosted by ICAP. Some U.S. politicians, including Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass, have historically participated in Venceremos Brigade trips, highlighting the interplay between activism and domestic political figures.

Responses to Sanctions

The Cuban government swiftly condemned Rubio’s sanctions, with President Díaz-Canel accusing the U.S. of escalating economic pressures against Cuba and intensifying tensions. “The Treasury Department has added new names of Cuban leaders, organizations and companies to an illegitimate sanctions list,” Díaz-Canel remarked, criticizing the U.S. for reinforcing a blockade and escalating conflicts.

A Broader Warning

Rubio’s statement extends beyond the sanctioned entities, indicating a focus on disrupting the networks, partnerships, and influence channels that U.S. officials believe have bolstered Cuban interests internationally long after the Cold War concluded. “Anyone providing services to these sanctioned actors is at risk of sanctions themselves,” he added, cautioning foreign banks and companies against continuing their activities with these entities.

Fox News Digital’s Reagan Schroeder contributed to this report.