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The US Coast Guard boarded a fuel ship near Cuba, suspected of using dark fleet tactics to evade sanctions and deliver oil under the Trump administration embargo.
The US Coast Guard boarded a ship suspected of using dark fleet tactics to evade authorities in the sea between Cuba and Mexico and escorted it to Mexico, as the Trump administration's oil embargo against Cuba continues. The vessel was taken to Mexico, where a Mexican navy inspection team confirmed the presence of large quantities of fuel in the vessel's ballast tanks. The New York Times reported that the ship was 91 metres (300ft) long.
Coast Guard Intercepts Suspected Dark Fleet Ship
The Coast Guard said that a team boarded the ship, which was carrying fuel, and believed to be employing tactics common amongst the dark fleet. The vessel was also carrying several containers believed to contain illicit fuel. The ship was escorted to Mexico, where a Mexican navy inspection team confirmed the presence of large quantities of fuel in the vessel's ballast tanks.
The statement did not say how authorities knew the fuel was headed to Cuba or how much fuel the ship, named Grace, was carrying. The Coast Guard did not provide further details on the amount of fuel or the ship's origin. The interception is part of ongoing efforts to enforce the US oil embargo against Cuba.
Oil Embargo Strains Cuba's Economy
The Trump administration has openly stated that its goal is to change Cuba's government. A US-imposed oil blockade implemented earlier this year has put the country under severe strain as it contends with fuel shortages and blackouts exacerbated by failing infrastructure. The blockade is a key component of the administration's pressure campaign against the island nation.
Oil shipments from Cuba's traditional suppliers, Venezuela and Mexico, ended abruptly after the US ousted the Venezuelan president, Nicolás Maduro, in January. This has left Cuba without its main sources of oil, deepening the energy crisis. The country has been struggling with frequent blackouts and fuel shortages, which have affected daily life and economic activities.
US Coast Guard cutters patrol the waters off Cuba, while sanctions and threats have dissuaded tankers from even setting sail. The US has increased its naval presence in the region to enforce the embargo and prevent oil from reaching Cuba. The Coast Guard's actions are aimed at disrupting the dark fleet operations that seek to bypass sanctions.
Background on Dark Fleet Tactics and Sanctions
Dark fleet refers to vessels that use deceptive tactics to evade authorities, such as turning off transponders, engaging in ship-to-ship transfers, and using false documentation. These tactics are common among those seeking to circumvent international sanctions. The US has been targeting such operations to enforce its embargo against Cuba.
Adm Kevin Lunday, the commandant of the Coast Guard, said that the high seas are not a sanctuary for lawlessness. He added that dark fleet actors who employ deceptive tactics to engage in illicit activities will not evade justice. This statement underscores the US commitment to enforcing its sanctions and preventing illicit oil shipments.
Cuba Oil Embargo US Coast Guard Dark Fleet Trump Administration Nicolás Maduro Mexico Venezuela
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