U.S. Energy Secretary Chris Wright stated on Friday that Washington's policy towards Cuba aims to push for political change on the island and liberate the Cuban people, not to incite a humanitarian crisis.
These comments were made during an interview with Kim Strassel for The Wall Street Journal's opinion program, published on the WSJ Opinion platform on X.
"A humanitarian crisis is not our intention. Our aim is to drive change and allow the Cuban people to experience freedom," Wright clarified.
Describing the island nation, Wright said Cuba is "a country exporting mercenaries, instability, and problems worldwide," while fostering "extreme poverty" domestically. He criticized communism as an economically devastating system.
U.S. Energy Policy Towards Cuba
Wright elaborated that U.S. legislation, passed by Congress, prohibits the sale of oil, gas, or energy products to the Cuban government, while permitting sales to private citizens and businesses.
"We're ready to sell oil and gas tomorrow. The law now targets the private sector. Want to buy oil, gas, or energy products in the U.S.? We're here," he asserted.
As evidence that Washington does not wish to suffocate the population, Wright pointed out that a Russian ship was allowed to transport energy to Cuba.
The tanker Anatoly Kolodkin arrived at the port of Matanzas on March 30 with approximately 730,000 barrels of crude, authorized by President Donald Trump as a humanitarian exception.
Increasing U.S. Pressure on Cuba
These statements arise amidst ongoing U.S. pressure on the island. On January 29, Trump signed Executive Order 14380, declaring Cuba an "unusual and extraordinary threat to national security" and imposing tariffs up to 50% on countries supplying oil to the Cuban government.
Simultaneously, the Departments of Treasury and Commerce authorized fuel exports to Cuban private entities in February, explicitly excluding the military conglomerate GAESA, as part of a strategy to strengthen the private sector while economically weakening the regime.
Cuba is enduring its most severe energy crisis in decades, with an outdated electricity generation system, frequent collapses of the National Electrical System, and blackouts exceeding 20 hours daily in several regions.
Potential Economic Growth Post-Communism
Wright drew parallels with Venezuela, highlighting Cuba's economic potential if freed from communism. "This is another economy that could quickly flourish if they just removed the communist system, the failed communist system. It would be beneficial for Cubans, for America, and for the hemisphere," he remarked.
The remarks coincide with the 65th anniversary of the Bay of Pigs invasion, a date when Díaz-Canel's regime issued an official statement titled "Girón is today and always," declaring that "Cuba will never be a trophy or another star" in the American constellation.
Understanding U.S.-Cuba Relations and Energy Policy
What is the U.S. policy regarding energy sales to Cuba?
The U.S. policy prohibits selling oil, gas, and energy products to the Cuban government but allows sales to private citizens and businesses.
How has the U.S. increased its pressure on Cuba?
The U.S. has increased pressure by declaring Cuba a national security threat, imposing tariffs on countries supplying oil to Cuba, and targeting the military conglomerate GAESA while supporting private sector growth.
What is the current energy situation in Cuba?
Cuba is facing a severe energy crisis with an outdated electricity system, frequent collapses, and blackouts that often exceed 20 hours a day.