US authorities have intercepted 90 consignments of biodiesel worth nearly $3 million that were headed to Cuba, in a widening investigation into fuel shipments allegedly breaching US sanctions and export rules, CBS News reported Wednesday.
The shipments were identified as being intended for Enetec S.A., a Havana-based fuel wholesaler that was placed under sanctions by the Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control in July.
The action followed intelligence received by federal agencies indicating that fuel exported from the United States was reaching the sanctioned Cuban company despite newly imposed restrictions. Homeland Security Investigations, US Customs and Border Protection and the Commerce Department’s Bureau of Industry and Security subsequently examined trade and intelligence records to track the shipments.
In early September, CBP identified biodiesel moving from two US ports towards Havana. At Port Everglades in Florida, authorities intercepted 71 oil-storage tanks containing about 500,000 gallons of biodiesel. A further 19 shipments, carrying around 120,000 gallons, were stopped at the Port of Houston, according to HSI.
Federal agencies said the shipments were suspected of violating US export laws, including the International Emergency Economic Powers Act and rules under the Export Administration Regulations.
Authorities have not disclosed the names of the exporters and no charges have been announced so far.
Jose Figueroa, special agent in charge of HSI Miami, said the agency would continue investigating attempts to bypass US sanctions and export controls.
HSI will “continue to identify, disrupt and investigate efforts to evade U.S. sanctions, protect the integrity of U.S. export controls and deny the Cuban government access to resources obtained in violation of U.S. law,” Figueroa said.
CBP director of field operations Daniel Alonso said enforcement would cover both goods entering the United States and shipments leaving the country.
“U.S. Customs and Border Protection is steadfast in enforcing the laws of the United States across all domains, encompassing both incoming commerce and outbound shipments,” Alonso said.
The biodiesel interceptions come amid a broader US campaign aimed at restricting Cuba’s access to fuel. The US Coast Guard said last week that it had stopped the cargo vessel Grace in early September between Cuba and Mexico while it was carrying fuel. It had also previously seized the Jaira Provider, which was carrying about 200,000 gallons of fuel.
The Trump administration has been seeking to increase pressure on Havana by restricting energy supplies and targeting sources of revenue for the Cuban government. Earlier this year, President Donald Trump threatened tariffs against countries supplying oil to Cuba as part of efforts to limit the island’s energy access.
Cuba is already facing persistent fuel shortages and problems with its ageing electricity network. These difficulties have contributed to repeated power cuts, affecting water pumping as well as hospitals, transport and food storage.
The latest US actions could make it harder for Havana to secure fuel as Washington steps up economic pressure on the Cuban government.
The Trump administration has accused Havana of maintaining ties with Russia, China and Iran and has called for broad economic and political changes in Cuba. Trump has also not ruled out military action against Cuba, although he said last month that he hoped to reach a deal and did not expect military force to be necessary.
Cuban officials have condemned the US pressure campaign as “economic warfare” and “aggression.”
