World · Latin America · 7 hrs ago
Cuba denies links to biodiesel shipments seized by the US
Cuba’s energy minister, Vicente de la O Levy, said the government had no link to biodiesel shipments seized by US authorities in September.
The US said it seized 90 shipments worth nearly $3 million under contracts involving ENETEC, a sanctioned Cuban state energy trader.
De la O Levy said Cuba had no contract with ENETEC and no state-owned company had secured a fuel contract.
The seizures come amid US limits on fuel shipments to Cuba’s government, which Cuba and the United Nations have called illegal.
The restrictions have worsened an energy crisis marked by shortages of fuel, water and electricity.
The US allows some fuel exports to Cuba’s private sector, but the minister said these supplies cover less than 3% of the country’s needs.
Cuba also wants to continue nickel and cobalt mining, but restarting production would require resolving fuel, spare-parts and payment issues.
Cuba’s energy minister denied any link between the government and biodiesel shipments seized by US authorities.
The United States said it seized 90 shipments worth nearly $3 million under contracts involving sanctioned Cuban state energy trader ENETEC.
Vicente de la O Levy said no Cuban state-owned company had secured a fuel contract.
The United States alleges the shipments were part of illegal fuel deliveries to Cuba.
The seizures come amid a US crackdown on fuel shipments to the island and a worsening energy crisis.
- Who
- Cuba’s Energy and Mines Minister Vicente de la O Levy and US authorities.
- What
- Cuba denied involvement in biodiesel shipments seized by the United States. The US said the shipments involved contracts with ENETEC.
- When
- The shipments were seized in September; the denial was reported on October 12.
- Where
- The shipments were bound for Cuba; de la O Levy spoke in Havana.
- Why
- The United States alleges the shipments were illegal fuel deliveries to Cuba. Cuba rejects the claim and says it had no contracts with ENETEC.
Cuba
United States
Involvement
Cuba
De la O Levy said Cuba had no link to the shipments and that no Cuban state-owned company had secured a fuel contract.
United States
The United States said the shipments were under contracts involving sanctioned Cuban state energy trader ENETEC.
Legality
Cuba
Cuba and the United Nations have called US efforts to limit fuel shipments to Cuba illegal and contrary to international law.
United States
The United States alleges the shipments were illegal fuel deliveries to the island.
We can assure you that there was no contract of any kind with ENETEC S.A.
No Cuban state-owned company has managed to secure a fuel contract, whether for small or large quantities.
I would venture to say that the amount entering the country doesn't even cover 3% of its fuel needs.
The US oil blockade was initiated following the detention of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, according to the article.
US authorities seized Cuba-bound biodiesel shipments.
The United States said it had seized 90 shipments worth nearly $3 million.
De la O Levy denied Cuba had links to the shipments.
- Shipments seized
- 90 separate biodiesel shipments
- Value
- Nearly $3 million
- Seizure timing
- September
- Cuban official
- Vicente de la O Levy, Minister of Energy and Mines
- Named trader
- ENETEC, a sanctioned Cuban state energy trader
Sources
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