US Eases Venezuelan Oil Export Restrictions to Cuba

The Trump administration has eased certain restrictions on fuel shipments to Cuba, allowing private companies to resell Venezuelan oil.

The US Treasury Department issued new guidance Wednesday, clarifying that the changes apply to transactions involving Cuba’s small private sector for commercial and humanitarian purposes, according to the Wall Street Journal.

The move comes as Cuban small business owners scramble to import diesel fuel from the US under the updated rules to prevent an emerging humanitarian crisis.

Earlier US measures had cut off oil supplies to Cuba, including threats of tariffs on Mexico, in an effort to pressure the Cuban government into implementing political and economic reforms.

The fuel shortages have forced schools to suspend classes, placed workers on unpaid leave, and left many hotels nearly empty. International flights from Russia and Canada have also been cancelled due to insufficient aviation fuel for long-haul operations.