The Trump administration halted a major fuel shipment from the United States to Cuba. This decision impacted a recent agreement by Vanguard Energy, a Florida-based energy trading company.
Vanguard Energy announced an agreement to send 250,000 barrels of gasoline and diesel from a Texas refinery to Cuba. The plan included leasing Cuban government storage facilities for the fuel.
Upon learning about the deal, the State Department intervened. They stated Vanguard Energy lacked the requisite U.S. authorization to move forward.
“Vanguard Energy has not received any U.S. license for this transaction,” the State Department emphasized. The Trump administration’s sanctions remain in effect unless specific guidance or licensing dictates otherwise.
This intervention aligns with the administration’s strategy to increase pressure on Cuba by limiting oil supply. Cuba’s energy crisis has intensified since January. This followed the U.S. capture of Nicolás Maduro, Venezuela’s former leader, who had supplied subsidized oil to Cuba.