Cuban Official Accuses US of ‘Piracy’ Against Sanctioned Caribbean Island
Published : 00:12, 26 January 2026
A senior Cuban diplomat has issued a sharp condemnation of recent actions by the United States, accusing Washington of “international piracy” and aggressive tactics that are obstructing vital oil supplies and exerting severe pressure on the Caribbean island nation.
Carlos de Cespedes, Cuba’s ambassador to Colombia, made the remarks in an interview with international media on Saturday, asserting that the United States is carrying out a “marine siege” against Cuba by restricting the flow of Venezuelan oil to the island.
He described the U.S. measures as the most powerful threats against Cuba since the 1959 revolution and accused Washington of engaging in “international piracy in the Caribbean Sea.”
The dispute stems from recent U.S. military and enforcement activity in the region, including the seizure of Venezuelan oil tankers bound for Cuba and other destinations.
These actions come amid heightened tensions after a U.S. military operation earlier this month resulted in the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and a broader campaign by Washington to cut off Venezuelan oil exports, which have long been a key source of energy for Cuba.
According to Cuban officials, these policies have effectively blocked the arrival of Venezuelan oil, exacerbating Cuba’s deepening energy crisis and placing additional strain on an already fragile economy. Cuba has sought alternative sources of fuel but continues to face shortages that threaten critical infrastructure, including power generation.
De Cespedes accused the United States of violating international law and freedom of navigation by intercepting tankers on the high seas, characterizing the actions as tantamount to piracy and maritime terrorism.
He emphasized that Cuba will not be subjugated or intimidated by the pressure, invoking the legacy of Cuba’s historic resistance to U.S. policies and asserting that Havana remains committed to defending its sovereignty and self‑determination.
The Cuban government’s accusations echo similar complaints from Venezuela, which has also labelled the U.S. boarding and seizure of oil shipments as acts of “maritime piracy” and violations of international norms.
Cuban officials argue that these operations form part of a wider strategy of economic strangulation designed to destabilize allied governments and force political concessions.
In addition to diplomatic statements, Cuban authorities have denounced the idea of a potential U.S. naval blockade, describing it as an “act of war” that would further deepen the humanitarian and economic challenges facing millions of Cubans.
The unfolding dispute has drawn concern from international observers and allied governments, with calls for respect for international law, freedom of navigation, and the peaceful resolution of conflicts affecting energy supplies and regional stability.
As tensions simmer in the Caribbean and Latin America, the rhetoric between Havana and Washington underscores the continuing geopolitical fault lines rooted in decades–long U.S.–Cuba antagonism.
Sources: Al Jazeera, Prensa Latina, CiberCuba, AOL News, AA News
BD/AN
