U.S. Expands Fuel Blockade On Cuba With Port Seizures And Ship Interdictions
U.S. federal agencies said they intercepted and seized Cuba-bound fuel shipments in early September 2026, including large biodiesel hauls at Port Everglades, Florida, and the Port of Houston, Texas.[1]
Authorities say they intercepted 90 Cuba-bound biodiesel shipments worth nearly $3 million.[1] Homeland Security Investigations and U.S. Customs and Border Protection reported seizing 71 oil storage tanks holding about 500,000 gallons at Port Everglades and 19 shipments with roughly 120,000 gallons at the Port of Houston.[1]
Officials said the fuel was destined for ENETEC S.A., a state-owned wholesaler in Havana.[1] The Treasury Department's Office of Foreign Assets Control sanctioned ENETEC in July 2026.[1] DHS said the interdictions are being investigated as suspected violations of the International Emergency Economic Powers Act and the Export Administration Regulations.[1] Officials have not yet identified exporters or announced charges.[1]
The U.S. Coast Guard also said it stopped ships carrying fuel to Cuba, an earlier sign of expanding maritime enforcement reported by the New York Times.[2] U.S. officials have tied the port seizures and interdictions to President Trump's broader effort this year to cut off most energy shipments to Cuba, a campaign that has included tariff threats to supplier countries and military planning at U.S. Southern Command.[1]
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📌 Key Facts
- Federal agencies said in early September 2026 they intercepted 90 Cuba‑bound biodiesel shipments worth nearly $3 million, including seizures at Port Everglades, Florida, and the Port of Houston, Texas (90 Cuba‑bound biodiesel shipments).
- Homeland Security Investigations and CBP reported seizing 71 oil storage tanks holding about 500,000 gallons of biodiesel at Port Everglades and another 19 shipments with roughly 120,000 gallons at the Port of Houston (Port Everglades).
- Officials said the fuel was headed to ENETEC S.A. in Havana, a state‑owned wholesaler that the U.S. Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control sanctioned in July 2026 (ENETEC S.A. in Havana).
- DHS said the interdictions are being investigated as suspected violations of the International Emergency Economic Powers Act and the Export Administration Regulations, but officials have not yet identified exporters or announced charges (International Emergency Economic Powers Act).
- The reporting ties the port seizures to President Trump’s broader effort this year to cut off most energy shipments to Cuba, including tariff threats against countries supplying oil to the island and military planning discussions at U.S. Southern Command (President Trump’s broader effort).
📰 Source Timeline (2)
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- Federal agencies said in early September 2026 they intercepted 90 Cuba‑bound biodiesel shipments worth nearly $3 million under a U.S. oil blockade, including seizures at Port Everglades, Florida, and the Port of Houston, Texas.
- Homeland Security Investigations and CBP reported seizing 71 oil storage tanks holding about 500,000 gallons of biodiesel at Port Everglades and another 19 shipments with roughly 120,000 gallons at the Port of Houston.
- Officials said the fuel was headed to ENETEC S.A. in Havana, a state-owned wholesaler that the U.S. Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control sanctioned in July 2026.
- DHS said the interdictions are being investigated as suspected violations of the International Emergency Economic Powers Act and Export Administration Regulations, but did not yet identify the exporters or announce charges.
- The article ties the port seizures to President Trump’s broader effort this year to cut off most energy shipments to Cuba, including tariff threats against countries supplying oil to the island and military planning discussions at U.S. Southern Command.