Miami-Dade's tax collector, Dariel Fernández, announced on Thursday that the Local Business Tax Receipt for Vanguard Energy, a Coral Gables-based company, has been revoked. This decision comes after Vanguard Energy signed an agreement to operate with CUPET, the Cuban state-owned oil company controlled by the country's communist regime.
The announcement closely followed Secretary of State Marco Rubio's declaration of new federal sanctions against CUPET under President Donald Trump's Executive Order 14404. This move is part of Washington's increased pressure on Havana's key economic structures.
Fernández explained that the revocation is due to reports linking Vanguard Energy to a contract for leasing fuel storage facilities from CUPET and participating in the transportation of gasoline and diesel to Cuba.
"The reported transaction involving Vanguard Energy includes the Cuban state oil company CUPET, which is sanctioned by the United States," stated Fernández in a press release.
"Given the company's reported contractual arrangements, the public statement from the State Department regarding licenses, and the announcement of federal sanctions against CUPET, our office has revoked Vanguard Energy's Local Business Tax Receipt," he added.
The company made headlines earlier this week after news surfaced about an agreement with a Cuban import agency to utilize CUPET’s infrastructure for supplying fuel to the island.
Reports from Bloomberg indicated that the project involved shipping over 250,000 barrels of gasoline and diesel per trip, with shipments occurring approximately every month or 40 days. If realized, it would have marked one of the largest supplies of U.S. fuel to Cuba in more than sixty years.
However, the State Department clarified on Wednesday that Vanguard Energy did not possess any specific license authorizing such operations and reiterated that sanctions against entities linked to the Cuban regime remain fully in effect.
Fernández emphasized that this decision is grounded in Florida state legislation and Miami-Dade county administrative regulations concerning the legal compliance of companies operating within the county.
"Any business operating in Miami-Dade County must adhere to federal sanctions, state law, and local requirements," he emphasized.
Going further, the official took a political stance on the matter.
"Miami-Dade County will not serve as a base for operations that undermine federal law or support the Cuban dictatorship," he asserted.
This action occurs in the midst of the Trump administration's intensified measures against the regime's primary revenue sources.
Last week, Washington expanded the scope of sanctions against entities tied to Cuba's military and security apparatus. On Thursday, CUPET became the second major state-owned enterprise sanctioned under the new executive order, following the military conglomerate GAESA.
Fernández also noted that this decision is part of an ongoing policy by his office since 2025 to review and act against companies with commercial ties to Cuba that fail to meet established legal requirements.
"We stand by the rule of law, the Cuban people, and the efforts of President Trump and Secretary Rubio to deny the regime the resources it uses to control and oppress its own people," he concluded.
The revocation of the local license represents a significant setback for Vanguard Energy and sends a message to other South Florida companies about the legal and political risks of doing business with entities controlled by the Cuban regime.
Understanding the Impact of Vanguard Energy's License Revocation
Why was Vanguard Energy's license revoked in Miami-Dade?
The license was revoked due to Vanguard Energy's reported contractual agreements with CUPET, which is sanctioned by the United States, and the lack of a specific license authorizing their operations.
What are the implications of the sanctions against CUPET?
The sanctions aim to intensify pressure on the Cuban regime by targeting its economic structures, limiting its ability to gain resources that could be used for oppressive activities.
How does this decision affect other businesses in South Florida?
The revocation serves as a warning to other companies about the potential legal and political risks of engaging in business with entities related to the Cuban regime.