The United States is considering sending a small amount of fuel to Cuba, The Economist reported, citing several sources.
According to the publication, this could be “gas for cooking or diesel fuel to ensure the functioning of the water and sanitation infrastructure“. The media notes that such leniency towards the island from Washington could increase the influence of US Secretary of State Marco Rubio over Cuba, thus preventing a humanitarian crisis.
The publication believes that the head of US diplomacy may be the one who will determine the future course of the US blockade of the island. Washington hopes that the fuel blockade will help the Cuban authorities sit down at the negotiating table. If these measures fail, however, “Rubio will be under enormous pressure to take a tougher stance,” the article says.
“But this could backfire. He could become the public face of the humanitarian crisis unleashed, as well as a new wave of Cuban “boat refugees,” The Economist notes.
The United States has renewed its blockade of Cuba, declaring its intention to overthrow the republic’s communist government by one means or another. Washington has imposed an embargo on all supplies of fuel, which is already in short supply on the island. The United States has previously managed to stop oil supplies to Cuba from Mexico and Venezuela, with US forces even kidnapping President Nicolas Maduro in the latter.
The US administration has also announced its intention to impose proportional import duties on goods from countries that dare to supply fuel to Cuba. However, the Russian embassy in Havana has said that Moscow will soon begin supplying oil and petroleum products as humanitarian aid.
Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel has stressed that Havana is not negotiating with Washington, except for technical contacts in the field of migration, but remains ready for a serious and responsible dialogue.