- The Cuban government denied the U.S. embassy in Havana's request to import two containers of fuel, citing the U.S. administration's role in Cuba's severe oil shortage.
- Diplomatic cables revealed the Cuban Ministry of Foreign Relations called the U.S. embassy's request "bold" and "shameless" given the widespread fuel scarcity affecting Cuban citizens.
- Since January, the Trump administration has cut off Cuba’s access to subsidized oil from Venezuela, aiming to pressure the island nation's leaders into political concessions.
- This U.S. policy has led to island-wide blackouts and critical shortages, impacting transportation, electricity, water and essential services for Cuba's more than 11 million residents.
- The U.S. embassy warned the State Department that a continued lack of fuel could force the removal of nonessential staff as early as May.
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