Overview
- Cuba’s foreign minister said Marco Rubio lied when he told reporters there is no U.S. oil blockade on the island.
- Havana says recent U.S. orders threatened tariffs on fuel exports to Cuba and added secondary energy sanctions that scare off suppliers.
- The government says only one large shipment, a Russian tanker in late March, reached Cuba in the last four months.
- Rubio rejects the blockade claim and says shortages stem from Venezuela cutting off the free or subsidized oil Cuba once relied on.
- Cuban leaders now warn of fresh blackouts and call U.S. talk of possible military action dangerous for a population already short of fuel.