Cuban Deputy Foreign Minister Carlos Fernández de Cossío accused the United States of “intimidating with threats” countries and companies that export or transport fuel to Cuba.
The diplomat stressed that the importation of fuel by Cuban state and private entities is legal under national legislation and international law, as is its transport through international waters.
The statement comes after US authorities announced the seizure in Miami and Houston of 90 shipments of biodiesel, totaling more than two million liters, allegedly destined for Cuba. Washington maintains that the operation violated its federal export laws.
Fernández de Cossío also stated that it is illegal to threaten states or companies with reprisals for participating in these commercial operations and questioned the interception of vessels transporting fuel in international waters.