US Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Thursday announced sanctions on Cuba's state-owned energy company, Unión Cuba-Petróleo (CUPET), escalating pressure on Havana and further straining relations between the two countries.
"Cuba’s Communist elites have weaponized energy as a tool of social control and kleptocratic profit," Rubio said in a post on social media platform X.
"For decades, the regime has stolen and hoarded available fuel - using it for the Castros' private jet, the security services forces used to repress the Cuban people, to keep empty tourist hotels lit up, and to bus people in for fake protests and political stunts - all while the Cuban people have suffered blackouts and waited weeks to fill their cars," he said.
Rubio went on to say that until Cuban people have "greater economic and political freedom and opportunity ... we will continue to target the Communist regime’s ability to leverage its energy trade to further its corrupt agenda and violently repress the Cuban people."
As a result of the sanctions, US citizens are no longer permitted to conduct business with the company. According to the announcement, individuals outside the US must also expect sanctions if they conduct business with CUPET.
The new punitive measures are part of a significantly tougher Cuba policy by the Trump administration. Earlier this year, US President Donald Trump announced far-reaching sanctions against supporters of the Cuban government in an executive order.
No more oil from Venezuela
On Friday, the US Treasury Department announced sanctions on Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel, several of his family members and various government agencies. Trump has also repeatedly raised the possibility of a "takeover" of the economically battered Caribbean nation.
Washington has been exerting considerable pressure on Cuba's communist government for weeks. Since December, the country has not received any oil from Venezuela, as Trump ordered a complete blockade on sanctioned oil tankers carrying supplies from the South American country.
Cuba, with a population of around 10 million, relies on oil for its electricity supply. Due to energy shortages, Cubans regularly face power outages.
