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Cuba Accuses Rubio of Lying About Oil Sanctions
🇲🇾 Malaysia /Elections & Politics

Cuba Accuses Rubio of Lying About Oil Sanctions

From Utusan Malaysia · (34m ago) Malay Critical tone

Translated from Malay, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

TLDR

  • Cuba accuses US Secretary of State Marco Rubio of lying about oil sanctions against the island nation.
  • Rubio denied Washington is imposing oil sanctions, stating Cuba receives free oil from Venezuela which it resells.
  • Cuba is facing an energy crisis, exacerbated by US threats of tariffs on countries sending oil to the communist-led island.

Cuba has vehemently accused US Secretary of State Marco Rubio of deliberately misleading the public regarding Washington's oil policies towards the island. The accusation stems from Rubio's denial of existing oil sanctions, a claim Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodríguez branded as a lie, directly contradicting statements from the US President and White House spokesperson.

No oil sanctions on Cuba, specifically. That's the situation in Cuba, understand? Cuba used to receive free oil from Venezuela, they took about 60 percent of that oil and resold it for cash. It didn't really benefit the people.

— Marco RubioRubio denied the existence of specific oil sanctions against Cuba during a White House press briefing.

Rodríguez took to the platform X to express Cuba's frustration, stating, "The Secretary has chosen to lie and contradict the President and the White House spokesperson." This public rebuke highlights the deep-seated tensions and differing narratives surrounding US-Cuba relations, particularly concerning energy supplies.

Rubio, during a White House press briefing, asserted that there were "no oil sanctions on Cuba, specifically." He elaborated that Cuba's energy situation is a result of Venezuela's decision to cease providing free oil, a significant portion of which Cuba used to resell for cash. Rubio characterized the arrangement as not truly benefiting the Cuban people.

The Secretary has chosen to lie and contradict the President and the White House spokesperson.

— Bruno RodríguezCuba's Foreign Minister Bruno Rodríguez accused Rubio of lying on the platform X.

However, Rodríguez condemned additional sanctions on Cuba's energy sector announced by President Donald Trump on May 1, emphasizing the severe hardship these measures inflict on the Cuban populace. The US has, thus far, permitted only one Russian oil tanker to dock in late March, a shipment Trump described as a one-time occurrence. This ongoing energy crisis, fueled by US actions and rhetoric, continues to be a critical issue for Cuba.

The Secretary knows full well the suffering that the Cuban people are experiencing today.

— Bruno RodríguezRodríguez condemned additional sanctions on Cuba's energy sector.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Utusan Malaysia in Malay. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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