Cuban Government Acknowledges Seized Venezuelan Oil Was Destined for Cuba

The Cuban authorities have eventually acknowledged that the oil aboard the vessel seized by the United States off the Venezuelan coast was indeed intended for the island. This admission comes amid accusations that the U.S. operation hampers Cuba's access to essential hydrocarbon supplies.

This acknowledgment was made through statements by Foreign Minister Bruno Rodríguez and an official note from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MINREX), further escalating political tensions following the U.S.-led naval operation.

Tensions Escalate Amid Accusations

Rodríguez took to social media to express his outrage, labeling the U.S. operation as an act of "piracy and maritime terrorism" in international waters of the Caribbean, close to Venezuela. He argued that the seizure is a blatant violation of International Law, the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, and the Convention for the Suppression of Unlawful Acts Against the Safety of Maritime Navigation.

He also claimed this operation is part of a broader strategy by Washington to prevent Venezuela from freely using and trading its natural resources, including hydrocarbon supplies to Cuba. This marks the first time the Cuban government has explicitly confirmed that the seized oil was meant for their energy system.

The Cuban government further blamed the United States for worsening the island's energy crisis, which adversely affects everyday life for its citizens.

MINREX's Official Statement and U.S. Involvement

The official statement from MINREX echoed Rodríguez's sentiments, adding that the seizure continues the policy of pressure from Trump's initial term, during which the U.S. targeted vessels transporting Venezuelan fuel to Cuba. The Ministry emphasized that the situation "persists and has worsened with the use of military force."

This development arises in a complex regional context and follows former President Donald Trump's confirmation that the U.S. will retain the oil from the tanker, captured by the Coast Guard, the FBI, HSI, and War Department personnel.

Insights from Axios and U.S. Perspectives

While the operation was publicly acknowledged by Trump, who referred to it as "the largest oil tanker ever captured," Axios provided additional insights. The outlet reported that the vessel, a VLCC with a massive carrying capacity, was transporting oil destined for Cuba and was part of an illicit network moving sanctioned crude from Venezuela and Iran.

Axios further suggested that the oil was part of a scheme where Cuba planned to resell Venezuelan oil on the black market in Asia, allegedly involving relatives of Raúl Castro. The seizure was described as delivering a "double blow" to both Nicolás Maduro's finances and Cuba's energy interests.

Florida's former Attorney General Pamela Bondi stated that the ship had long been under sanctions and connected to a network financing international terrorist organizations. She confirmed the operation was executed by the FBI, HSI, and the Coast Guard with U.S. military support, with investigations ongoing to halt the trade of sanctioned oil.

Previous Cuban Reactions and New U.S. Sanctions

Prior to confessing the cargo's true destination, Cuba had publicly protested, with leader Miguel Díaz-Canel condemning the action as "piracy" and voicing full support for Maduro. Rodríguez had similarly denounced the seizure without admitting the link to Cuba, a connection finally acknowledged in the recent MINREX statement.

In response, Washington confirmed that the ship would be relocated to a U.S. port and announced new Treasury Department sanctions against three relatives of Cilia Flores and six companies associated with Venezuelan oil transport.

This seizure has intensified the already strained relations among the United States, Cuba, and Venezuela, putting Cuba's energy infrastructure under scrutiny. According to Cuban officials, the retention of the shipment will significantly impact the island's deteriorated electrical system and the daily lives of its citizens, who are already enduring the worst energy crisis in years.