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US COAST GUARD INTERCEPTS FUEL SHIP BOUND FOR CUBA
A cargo ship carrying fuel to Cuba was intercepted by the US Coast Guard in the Caribbean Sea before being escorted to Mexico, where authorities found...
By Wavers Multimedia
The ship, named Grace, was stopped on September 5 between Cuba and Mexico as US authorities continued enforcing an oil embargo affecting fuel shipments to the island.
SHIP TAKEN TO MEXICO
The Coast Guard said Grace was believed to be using tactics commonly associated with what authorities describe as a “dark fleet” to evade detection.
A Coast Guard team boarded the vessel and escorted it to Mexico. A Mexican Navy inspection team subsequently found large quantities of fuel in the ship’s ballast tanks.
Several containers believed to contain illicit fuel were also found aboard the vessel.
US MAINTAINS PRESSURE ON CUBA
The interception comes as Cuba faces fuel shortages and widespread power blackouts amid continuing pressure from the United States.
The US administration has openly stated that it wants to see a change in Cuba’s government, while its oil blockade has further complicated the island’s access to fuel.
Cuba’s traditional oil supplies from Venezuela and Mexico were also disrupted earlier this year, adding to the pressure on the country’s energy system.
COAST GUARD DEFENDS INTERCEPTION
US Coast Guard Commandant Admiral Kevin Lunday said vessels using deceptive methods to engage in illicit activities would not be allowed to evade enforcement on the high seas.
However, the Coast Guard did not disclose how much fuel Grace was carrying or explain how authorities determined that the shipment was destined for Cuba.
The interception adds to growing tensions surrounding fuel supplies to Cuba as the US continues its enforcement measures against shipments bound for the island.