The US is cutting off fuel to Cuba: the island is sinking deeper into an energy crisis

The US is actually strengthening oil blockade of Cuba. The Coast Guard is intercepting ships carrying fuel to the island, and U.S. military and sanctions pressure is already affecting Cubans’ daily lives, from transportation to electricity.

Briefly about the main thing

• The US Coast Guard stopped the ship Graceheading with fuel to Cuba;
• the ship was intercepted September 5 between Cuba and Mexico;
• after being searched, he was escorted to Mexico;
• This is not an isolated case: the American side confirms the interception of other ships with fuel;
• Cuba already faces chronic fuel shortages and widespread power outages;
• Washington openly states that it seeks to increase pressure on the Cuban leadership.

The ship was stopped on the high seas

US Coast Guard intercepted cargo ship Gracewhich, according to the United States, was heading to Cuba with fuel.

Vessel length approx. 91 meters was stopped on September 5 in the Caribbean Sea between Cuba and Mexico. The American side claims that it used methods characteristic of the so-called “shadow fleet”.

After landing, the American inspection team Grace was escorted to Mexico, where the Mexican military confirmed the presence of significant volumes of fuel in ballast tanks and containers.

This is no longer an isolated episode

The US Coast Guard confirms that this is not just one vessel. At least one other ship carrying fuel for Cuba was stopped earlier in the summer.

According to Pronewsamong such ships is mentioned Jaira Providercarrying approximately 210,000 gallons of fuel.

In fact, Washington has moved from financial and trade restrictions to physical control of part of fuel supplies by sea.

Cuba is already living with blackouts

For the island, the consequences are becoming more severe. Cuba has long experienced fuel shortages, and its aging power grid regularly faces breakdowns and widespread blackouts.

Reduced supplies of petroleum products are increasing pressure on power plants, transport and industry.

After the cessation of previous volumes of supplies from Venezuela and a reduction in supplies from Mexico, Cuba has less and less ability to quickly compensate for the shortage of oil and fuel.

Washington is putting pressure not only on Havana

The American strategy is directed not only against Cuba itself, but also against the countries and companies that continue to supply it.

Mexican authorities have previously discussed a possible reduction in oil supplies to the island due to fears of retaliation from the Donald Trump administration.

Trump himself stated that there should be no more for Cuba “no oil, no money”.

Who is really affected by this policy?

Washington explains its actions by the fight against illegal supply schemes and the desire to increase pressure on the Cuban leadership.

But fuel is needed not only by the state. It’s needed power plants, transport, hospitals, factories, agriculture and water supply systems.

Therefore, the debate about whether to call what is happening sanctions pressure, a naval blockade or the fight against the “shadow fleet” is of secondary importance for an ordinary Cuban family.

When no fuel arrives on the island, the result is much simpler: Transport doesn’t work, lights go out, food prices rise and the economy grinds to a halt..

The pressure is getting tougher

The American authorities do not hide the fact that they are counting on using economic and energy pressure to change the behavior of the Cuban leadership.

At the same time, the US Coast Guard presents interceptions of ships as a fight against illegal transportation and the activities of the so-called “shadow fleet”.

For Havana, things look different: the country’s ability to obtain fuel from abroad is becoming increasingly limited at a time when Cuba’s energy system is already in dire condition.

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