(Central News Agency, Washington, 11th, Comprehensive Foreign News) The United States today announced sanctions on Cuba's main state-owned oil company, intensifying pressure on Cuba's energy sector. This move has left Cuba paralyzed.

According to AFP, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said in a statement: "Today, I am imposing sanctions on Cuba's state-owned oil and gas company, CUPET, whose key assets were illegally expropriated from US owners years ago."

This action prohibits US-related companies and individuals from conducting any financial transactions with the Cuban oil company. The company controls the extraction of Cuba's crude oil fields, as well as refining and distribution operations.

The Cuban government stated yesterday that the US oil blockade, which has crippled the island, is hindering the United Nations from distributing 170 containers of humanitarian aid supplies.

After Washington ousted then-Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro through military action, US President Trump cut off oil supplies from Venezuela, the main supplier, to Cuba in January.

Trump said he wants to end more than 60 years of communist rule in Cuba and threatened to impose similar sanctions on other countries if they provide aid to Cuba.

Since January, only one oil tanker from Russia has successfully arrived.

This blockade, coupled with the expansion of US sanctions punishing companies that do business with the Cuban government, has exacerbated the worst economic and energy crisis Cuba has seen in more than a generation.

Recently, some areas of Havana experienced blackouts lasting up to 30 hours, and supplies of food, running water, and medicine are increasingly scarce. (Editor: Li Peishan) 1150612

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  • Source: CNA (Central News Agency)
  • Category: Taiwan