Havana: Cuba’s Energy and Mines Minister Vicente de la O Levy has denied any involvement by the Cuban government or state-owned companies in biodiesel shipments seized by US authorities in September, rejecting Washington’s allegations linking the consignments to a sanctioned state energy trader, Reuters reported.
The US government said last week that it had seized 90 shipments of biodiesel worth nearly $3 million under contracts involving ENETEC S.A., a sanctioned Cuban state energy trading company. The seizures form part of Washington’s broader crackdown on fuel shipments allegedly destined for Cuba in violation of US restrictions.
In an interview with Reuters in Havana, de la O Levy said he was unaware of the intercepted shipments and maintained that ENETEC had not entered into any contracts for the transactions. He also said no Cuban state-owned enterprise had managed to secure fuel import contracts, irrespective of the quantities involved.
US restrictions on oil supplies have further aggravated Cuba’s longstanding energy crisis, which has intensified following the detention of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro in January. The island is facing severe shortages of fuel, electricity and water, alongside rising prices and worsening economic conditions.
Since early this year, Washington has permitted fuel exporters to supply gasoline and diesel to Cuba’s emerging private sector while maintaining restrictions on deliveries to government entities.
Although fuel imports from US companies have increased in recent months, they remain far below the country’s requirements. De la O Levy estimated that the incoming supplies accounted for less than 3% of Cuba’s total fuel needs.
Cuba and the United Nations have criticised the US restrictions on fuel shipments, describing the measures as unlawful and contrary to international law.
Washington has openly stated that its policy is aimed at bringing about a change in Cuba’s communist-led government, adding to tensions between the two countries amid the island’s deepening energy and economic crisis.
