Not legal, tax or investment advice, and not authorization for any transaction. U.S. sanctions (31 CFR Part 515) prohibit investment or equity in any Cuban business; nothing here is a determination that a transaction is lawful. Structure anything Cuba-facing only with qualified OFAC sanctions counsel and screen every party with QvaPay Sentinel.
Primary sources: OFAC Cuba Sanctions · 31 CFR Part 515 (CACR) · OFAC Cuba FAQs · Cuba Restricted List
GAESA — Grupo de Administración Empresarial S.A.
aka GAESA
Cuban military business conglomerate. Controls an estimated 40–80% of the economy: ports/logistics, retail (CIMEX), tourism (Gaviota), finance (FINCIMEX), import/export. The single most important — and most legally radioactive — counterparty in Cuba.
- • Cuba Restricted List: GAESA — Grupo de Administración Empresarial S.A.
- • OFAC SDN: Grupo de Administracion Empresarial S.A. (GAESA) (2020-12-21)
Assets controlled (3)
TC Mariel + ZED Mariel
Underused vs capacity; deepwater berth + logistics/warehousing expansion
ZED Mariel (Special Development Zone)
Active — food, biotech, chemicals, logistics, real estate
Port of Havana
Best positioned for cruise/tourism/ferries + waterfront redevelopment