In a press conference held in Miami this Wednesday, U.S. federal authorities detailed an operation that successfully intercepted 90 shipments of biodiesel bound for Cuba. These shipments, valued at nearly $3 million, are part of the Trump administration's intensified energy pressure against the Havana regime.
According to CBS News, the action was a coordinated effort involving Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), Customs and Border Protection (CBP), and the Bureau of Industry and Security from the Department of Commerce.
The three agencies confirmed that the shipments were intended for ENETEC S.A., a Cuban state-owned fuel wholesale company based in Havana, which was sanctioned by the Treasury Department's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) in July 2026.
The illegal operation was detected weeks before the announcement when intelligence reports revealed that fuel exported from the U.S. was reaching a sanctioned entity, violating current export restrictions.
In early September, after analyzing trade and intelligence data, CBP identified biodiesel shipments departing from Port Everglades in Florida and the Port of Houston in Texas headed for Havana.
Seizing of Illicit Biodiesel Shipments
At Port Everglades, 71 storage tanks containing approximately 500,000 gallons of biodiesel were seized, while in Houston, 19 additional shipments with around 120,000 gallons were captured, totaling over 620,000 gallons.
The seizures were carried out for alleged violations of the International Emergency Economic Powers Act and Export Administration Regulations. At the time of the announcement, the agencies did not disclose the exporters involved nor reported any criminal charges filed.
Jose Figueroa, Special Agent in Charge of HSI Miami, vowed the agency would continue collaborating with partners to "identify, disrupt, and investigate efforts to evade U.S. sanctions, protect the integrity of export controls, and deny the Cuban government access to resources obtained through illegal means."
Daniel Alonso, CBP's Director of Field Operations, stated that the agency "remains steadfast in enforcing U.S. laws across all domains, including both inbound and outbound trade."
Continued Maritime Interdictions
This operation adds to a series of previous maritime interdictions by the Coast Guard against vessels carrying fuel to Cuba.
Last week, it was reported that on September 5, the Coast Guard boarded the cargo ship Grace, approximately 300 feet in length, in the Caribbean between Cuba and Mexico. The ship was escorted to the Mexican port of Progreso, where the Mexican Navy confirmed large quantities of fuel in its ballast tanks and containers.
Earlier, in late June, the Coast Guard intercepted the Jaira Provider near Mayagüez, Puerto Rico, with over 200,000 gallons of diesel on board.
Escalating Energy Crisis in Cuba
The energy pressure on Cuba heightened throughout 2026 following the suspension of Venezuelan oil shipments—since November 2025—and the drastic reduction of Mexican supplies. The island produces about 40,000 barrels daily but requires between 90,000 and 110,000, making it reliant on imports to cover approximately 60% of its demand.
This crisis has resulted in power outages lasting up to 20 and 24 hours daily and at least six total collapses of the national electrical system so far this year. In Havana, the blackouts have disrupted water pumping, affecting about 3.5 million people, and have caused disturbances in hospitals, transportation, and food storage.
The Cuban regime has accused Washington of "economic warfare" and "aggression." Meanwhile, Trump has not ruled out the use of military force against Cuba, although he expressed hope for a deal in September. At the end of that month, the Army Reserve was consulted on its capacity to support the Southern Command in a potential action concerning the island.
Key Questions About the U.S. Biodiesel Seizure
What triggered the U.S. to intercept the biodiesel shipments?
The interceptions were part of an effort to enforce U.S. sanctions against the Cuban regime, following intelligence reports that the fuel was reaching a sanctioned entity in violation of export restrictions.
Which agencies were involved in the operation?
The operation was a collaborative effort involving Homeland Security Investigations, Customs and Border Protection, and the Bureau of Industry and Security from the Department of Commerce.
How has the energy crisis affected Cuba?
Cuba has faced power outages lasting up to 24 hours, along with several total collapses of its electrical system, impacting water supply, hospitals, transportation, and food storage.