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Ministry of Tourism (MINTUR)
OrganisationCU

Ministry of Tourism (MINTUR)

Cuba's Ministry of Tourism, the largest tourism-sector player outside GAESA, designated on 13 July with no OFAC wind-down guidance.

The US State Department designated Cuba's Ministry of Tourism on 13 July 2026 under Executive Order 14404, calling it the largest tourism-sector player outside GAESA; unlike two other firms named the same day, MINTUR received no OFAC wind-down guidance.

Last refreshed: 17 July 2026 · Appears in 1 active topic

Key Question

Cuba's Tourism Ministry got no OFAC wind-down guidance; what happens to bookings already made?

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Background

The Ministry of Tourism (MINTUR) is the Cuban government body responsible for the island's tourism sector, historically the largest source of hard-currency earnings outside GAESA, the military conglomerate that runs Cuba's hotels, airports and much of its retail trade.

MINTUR's designation puts a second major Arm of Cuba's foreign-currency economy on the US sanctions list, extending Washington's reach beyond the military-run GAESA network into the wider state apparatus that books and manages tourist arrivals. Because no CACR amendment or general licence has yet addressed the ministry specifically, the practical consequences for existing bookings and contracts remain unresolved.

Common Questions
What is Cuba's Ministry of Tourism (MINTUR)?
Cuba's state tourism ministry, described by the US State Department as the largest tourism-sector player outside GAESA, designated under Executive Order 14404 on 13 July 2026.Source: US State Department
Did OFAC give MINTUR a sanctions wind-down period?
No. OFAC's same-day FAQ 1262 covered only GECOMEX and GEMAR; no wind-down guidance or licence for MINTUR had been published as of 17 July 2026.Source: OFAC