Cuban authorities say the move damages the nation and its citizens while intensifying what they call the US campaign to economically squeeze Cuba
Cuba has strongly denounced the United States’ recent
seizure of the oil tanker Skipper off Venezuela’s coast, calling the move “piracy and maritime terrorism” and a “serious violation of international law.”
Cuban officials say the action harms the island nation and its people while escalating what they describe as US efforts to economically strangle Cuba.
“This action is part of the US escalation aimed at hampering Venezuela’s legitimate right to freely trade its natural resources with other nations, including the supplies of hydrocarbons to Cuba,” the Cuban foreign ministry said in a statement. “It negatively affects Cuba and intensifies the United States’ policy of maximum pressure and economic suffocation.”
The tanker, reportedly carrying nearly 2 million barrels of Venezuelan heavy crude, was originally bound for the Cuban port of Matanzas. Internal data acquired by the Guardian from Venezuela’s state oil company, PDVSA, indicated that two days after departure, the Skipper off-loaded an estimated 50,000 barrels to another vessel, which then continued toward Cuba, while the Skipper itself headed east toward Asia.
Why Venezuelan oil is Cuba’s lifeline
Cuba has long relied on Venezuelan oil in return for providing medical personnel, sports instructors, and security staff to Venezuela, including protection for President Nicolás Maduro. However, much of the subsidised oil meant for Cuba has reportedly been resold to China to earn foreign currency.
The US seizure comes amid broader sanctions and military measures targeting Venezuela. The Treasury Department recently imposed restrictions on shipping companies and vessels trading with the Maduro government, and additional US military assets have been deployed to the Caribbean. These include helicopters, electronic warfare jets, F-35s, and the USS Gerald R. Ford, as part of an operation initially wanting to counter drug trafficking but now also intended to pressure Maduro.
“The United States is
intensifying its campaign against Venezuela under the guise of counter-narcotics,” the Cuban statement said, warning that these actions violate international law and destabilise the region.
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