U.S. Seizes $3 Million in Biodiesel Destined for Cuba

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security led an operation to intercept 90 shipments of biodiesel valued at nearly $3 million destined for Cuba. Federal agencies seized 500,000 gallons of fuel from 71 storage tanks at Port Everglades in Florida and 120,000 gallons from 19 shipments at the Port of Houston.

The fuel was routed to ENETEC S.A., a Havana-based fuel wholesaler that the U.S. Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control sanctioned in July. These seizures follow recent interceptions of the cargo vessels Grace and Jaira Provider by the United States Coast Guard.

The blockade is part of a strategy by the administration of Donald Trump to restrict energy resources to pressure the Cuban government into economic and political changes. Cuba, currently experiencing rolling blackouts affecting 3.5 million people, has described the U.S. actions as "economic warfare" and "aggression."