US seizes $2.8 million in biodiesel shipments bound for Cuba

United States federal agents have seized 90 shipments of biodiesel destined for Cuba, valued at approximately $2.8 million. The seizures occurred at Port Everglades, Florida, and the Port of Houston, Texas. US authorities allege the fuel was intended for ENETEC, a state-owned Cuban wholesaler sanctioned by Washington in July.

Under a fuel blockade implemented in January, US fuel shipments to Cuba are restricted to the island’s private sector, prohibiting deliveries to state-owned entities. Cuban Minister of Energy and Mines, Vicente de la O Levy, denied any government involvement in the intercepted shipments, stating that no Cuban state-owned company has secured such fuel contracts.

The blockade has intensified Cuba’s existing energy crisis, characterized by shortages of fuel, water, and electricity. While imports to the private sector have increased, officials state these imports cover less than 3% of the nation's total fuel requirements. Cuba and the United Nations have criticized the US restrictions as illegal under international law.