U.S. Official Alleges Cuba Resells Oil Received From Venezuela
A United States official has accused the Cuban government of reselling a substantial amount of the oil provided to the island by Venezuela. According to the allegations, rather than utilizing the subsidized crude solely for domestic consumption to alleviate chronic power outages and fuel shortages, Havana is reportedly exporting the fuel to international buyers to generate hard currency.
The energy relationship between the two nations dates back roughly two decades, primarily structured around an exchange of Venezuelan crude for Cuban medical, educational, and intelligence services. This arrangement has been a critical economic lifeline for Cuba, especially as Venezuela holds the world’s largest proven oil reserves. Washington has frequently targeted this supply chain with sanctions, arguing that the oil shipments provide the political and economic support necessary to sustain the administration of Nicolás Maduro in Caracas while propping up the government in Havana.
However, observers and Cuban officials strongly dispute the characterization of these transactions as illicit profiteering. The Cuban government consistently attributes its energy crises and economic struggles to the longstanding U.S. trade embargo and tightened sanctions, which they argue restrict their ability to purchase fuel on the open market and maintain their electrical grid. Furthermore, energy analysts have previously noted that Cuba’s domestic demand often outstrips supply, raising questions about the logistical feasibility of reselling large volumes of imported crude while the island faces internal blackouts.
This latest accusation marks a continued focus by U.S. authorities on disrupting the logistical and financial ties between Venezuela and Cuba. As both nations remain under heavy U.S. sanctions, the scrutiny of their bilateral trade agreements continues to escalate, complicating diplomatic efforts and impacting the economic stability of the region.
