Overview
- Jayapal, who visited Cuba in April, told a Seattle briefing she spoke with Mexico’s ambassador and other Latin American diplomats about getting oil to the island, adding that Russia has pledged another tanker.
- A video of her remarks spread on X, where conservative accounts accused her of wrongdoing, and no investigation or charges have been announced.
- She defended the outreach as routine for members of Congress and called the U.S. penalties an “economic bombing” that she says violates international law.
- A former federal prosecutor said the Logan Act is almost never used and that any case would require proof she violated or helped violate U.S. sanctions.
- Policy context: Trump ordered tariffs in January on countries that provide oil to Cuba and expanded penalties on May 1 for foreign banks and firms tied to Cuba.