US Secretary of State sanctions Cuba state oil company CUPET | Ukraine news

The US acted to sanction Cuba’s state energy firm, accusing the regime of diverting fuel to elites and repression. The move could deepen shortages and strain international suppliers.

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced the imposition of sanctions on the Cuban state-owned energy company Unión Cuba-Petróleo (CUPET).

He shared the information on X. The restrictions were imposed under Executive Order 14404 by President Donald Trump.

Rubio accused the Cuban communist elite of using energy as a tool of social control and kleptocratic enrichment.

“For decades the regime stole and stockpiled the available fuel, using it for Castro’s private plane, for the needs of security forces that carried out repression against the Cuban people, to illuminate empty tourist hotels, and also to transport people to fake rallies and political actions – and this while the Cuban people suffered from power outages and waited for weeks to refuel their cars.”

– Marco Rubio

According to him, Trump is pursuing a ‘new future’ for the Cuban people with greater economic and political freedom and opportunities.

The secretary of state also emphasized that Washington continues to limit the ability of the communist regime to use energy trade to advance its corrupt program and suppress the Cuban people.

On June 4, the U.S. Department of the Treasury imposed new sanctions on several Cuban individuals and entities, including the island’s current president Miguel Díaz-Canel.

Outlook and implications for Cuba’s energy sector

The new restrictions could affect funding and the supply of energy fuels within the country. Experts note that further U.S. steps in energy policy could intensify pressure on the Cuban government and affect the population’s access to resources.

The main aim of the sanctions is to reduce CUPET’s influence on the economy and to limit the use of energy fuels as a policy tool that suppresses citizens.