Cuba rejects Rubio's claim that US does not block oil shipments
Havana, June 6
Cuba has rejected remarks by US Secretary of State Marco Rubio that Washington does not block oil shipments to the island, citing an American measure that imposes penalties on countries supplying oil to Cuba.
Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez wrote on the social media platform X on Friday (local time) that Rubio had repeatedly claimed the US government does not block oil shipments to Cuba, reports Xinhua news agency
Rodriguez pointed to Executive Order 14380, signed by US President Donald Trump on January 29, which authorises punitive tariffs on imports from countries that directly or indirectly supply oil to Cuba.
According to Rodriguez, any country that trades oil with Cuba faces the threat of commercial retaliation in the US market.
"Is that not blocking the entry of oil into Cuba?" Rodriguez wrote, describing the measure as a form of economic coercion against third countries.
He was responding to remarks Rubio made Tuesday before a US Senate committee, where the secretary of state defended the White House's position on Cuba's energy crisis.
Cuba relies heavily on imported fuel to meet domestic demand. According to official figures, the island requires about eight fuel shipments a month to operate normally.
So far this year, Cuba has received only one crude oil shipment -- the Russian tanker Anatoly Kolodkin, carrying about 100,000 tonnes of oil.
Earlier on Wednesday, Cuba rejected the terror accusations made by Rubio in the US Senate.
Rodriguez said on X that Cuba's inclusion on the US list of alleged state sponsors of terrorism is based on political criteria rather than evidence.
Rodriguez said the designation is "so arbitrary and devoid of moral sense that the US Secretary of State himself lacks arguments before that country's Congress to justify the imposition of this criminal measure."
He said Rubio's remarks showed Washington's intention to keep pressure on Cuba.
"His mask crumbles. His political motivation and sole aim become clear: to strangle the Cuban economy by every possible means, provoke a humanitarian crisis, and promote military intervention in Cuba," Rodriguez said.
The Cuban foreign minister also said it was alarming that the congress allows "the lie of a public servant to stand."
Rubio made the remarks during a Senate hearing, where he defended the Trump administration's decision to keep Cuba on the list of alleged state sponsors of terrorism.
— IANS
Reader Comments
I get that the US has issues with Cuba's political system, but blocking oil shipments is just inhumane. People need fuel to live—for hospitals, transportation, basics. This isn't a foreign policy win; it's collective punishment.
Cuba Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez is absolutely right. How can a country claim it 'doesn't block oil shipments' while simultaneously threatening tariffs on any nation supplying oil? It's double-speak, and thankfully more nations are seeing through it. 🇨🇺
Such hypocrisy from the US—saying 'we don't block oil' but then imposing sanctions on countries that supply it. It's like a bully saying 'I didn't hit you, I just made sure no one helps you get up.' India should learn from Cuba's stance on sovereignty.
I think both sides are playing politics here. Cuba has legitimate grievances about the embargo, but the Rodriguez's rhetoric about 'strangling the economy' is also exaggerated to deflect domestic issues. The people of Cuba deserve better than this political tennis match.
The US has blocked Cuba for decades and calls it 'policy.' To me, it's just a way to force regime change by making life unbearable. Cuba's only crime is saying no to American dominance. As an Indian, I respect their defiance. Solidarity! ✊
We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.