The United States hit the remittance system to Cuba again, sanctioning the company American International Services (AIS) that processes shipments on Monday, reports the AFP agency.

The justification put forward by the US State Department is that AIS benefits the Cuban military. “We urge anyone who sends remittances to Cuba to use means other than entities controlled by the government,” the US government said.

On Friday, the Trump administration announced new sanctions against the tourism sector, prohibiting Americans from staying in government-owned properties in Havana.

He also announced restrictions on the importation of cigars and spirits, at a time when the Cuban vote is energetically courting the Cuban vote in Florida, a state that is seen as key to reaching the White House in the November elections.

Cuba rejects the action

For his part, Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodríguez rejected this measure, pointing out that it is a “maneuver aimed at damaging the Cuban people and the ties of families in both nations” and, furthermore, the “blockade” against the island is intensifying.

 He also said that Washington only tries to “manipulate Florida voters” when the presidential elections approach in the North American country, in which Donald Trump seeks re-election.

With this action, AIS joins the long list of public and private companies, as well as entities of the Cuban Government, that have been sanctioned by the US; measures that have been intensified during the Trump administration.

The list includes the ministries of the Armed Forces and the Interior; companies such as Corporación CIMEX SA, Compañía Turística Habaguanex SA, Grupo de Administración Empresarial SA (GAESA), Grupo de Turismo Gaviota and the Unión de Industria Militar (UIM).

Sanctions have also been applied to a high number of hotels operating in Havana, Santiago de Cuba, Varadero, Pinar del Río, Baracoa, Villa Clara Keys, Holguín, Jardines del Rey and other places in Cuba.