Cuba is in crisis
Secretary of State Marco Rubio said in a statement announcing the sanctions accused the Cuban government of using the company “as a tool of repression and a self-serving kleptocracy of the regime.”
“While Cubans struggle with fuel shortages and power outages due to decades of underinvestment in key infrastructure, Cuba's communist leaders divert energy resources for their own profits: resell countless barrels of scarce energy on the secondary market, stockpile energy for the armed forces, intelligence and repressive services, and use energy rationing as a tool of social control,” Rubio said.
During Donald Trump's presidency, the United States tightened a long-standing economic embargo on Cuba, sent troops to the Caribbean and impeached former President Raul Castro as part of a pressure campaign on the island. Rubio hinted that additional measures targeting the energy sector could be introduced soon.
Next US actions
“President Trump's administration will continue to restrict Cuba's ability to use energy trade to further its corrupt agendas and strengthen its repressive security apparatus,” he said.
In a separate action, the Department of State stated that will block Florida-based Vanguard Energy's plan to ship 250,000. barrels of urgently needed gas and diesel to Cuba, which would be one of the largest fuel deliveries to the island in recent times. It was found that the company had not obtained the required license for such a transaction.
In addition to increased economic pressure on Cuba, Donald Trump has repeatedly suggested the possibility of a United States invasion to overthrow the island's authorities.
“My position is adamant: America will not tolerate a rogue state that harbors hostile foreign militaries, intelligence services and terrorist organizations just 90 miles from the American homeland, and we will not rest until the people of Cuba regain the freedom their ancestors fought so bravely for over 100 years ago,” Trump said in a statement on Cuba's Independence Day.
