Cuba has dismissed US Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s statement that the US does not impede oil deliveries to the island. Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez highlighted an American regulation, Executive Order 14380, signed by President Donald Trump, which allows penalties on nations supplying oil to Cuba. This order threatens countries trading oil with Cuba with potential commercial repercussions in the US market.
Rodriguez criticized Rubio’s assertion during a US Senate committee meeting, defending the White House’s stance on Cuba’s energy crisis. Cuba heavily relies on imported fuel to meet its energy needs, requiring approximately eight oil shipments monthly for normal operations. However, this year, Cuba has only received one oil shipment from the Russian tanker Anatoly Kolodkin, carrying around 100,000 tonnes of oil.
Cuba also rejected terrorism allegations made by Rubio in the Senate, with Rodriguez stating that Cuba’s inclusion on the US list of alleged state sponsors of terrorism lacks evidence and is politically motivated. He criticized the arbitrary nature of this designation and accused the US of attempting to pressure Cuba economically. Rodriguez highlighted Rubio’s intentions to create a humanitarian crisis, provoke military intervention, and strangle the Cuban economy through various means.
