By Katya Derevo
In the latest round of sanctions against Venezuela, on April 5, the United States identified and targeted 34 shipping vessels owned by Petróleos de Venezuela, S.A. (PDVSA) and marked them as “blocked property” in an attempt to prevent the vessels from reaching Cuba.
The sanctions are not just a punishment on the Venezuelan oil industry; they also serve as a punishment on Cuba for standing in solidarity with the administration of President Nicolás Maduro.
U.S. Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said in a statement that the “[t]reasury is taking action against vessels and entities transporting oil, providing a lifeline to keep the illegitimate Maduro regime afloat.”
Back in January, when Juan Guaidó declared himself the interim president of Venezuela, socialist Cuba was one of approximately 50 countries that declared its support for President Maduro, who was democratically elected by the people last year.
These sanctions are being declared an act of “economic piracy” by Cuban diplomat Bruno Rodríguez, but U.S. officials are claiming that they are stopping payment from Maduro to Cuban security officials who are allegedly helping him to maintain control of the Venezuelan government. This is only the beginning.
The sanctions against the oil shipments on their way to Cuba are just the most recent of many sanctions implemented since the failed coup attempt by Juan Guaidó. Some have targeted governors and other high-ranking military officials while others have targeted the banking, mining and oil sectors in Venezuela….
As the United States continues its economic war against Venezuela, Cuban leader Raúl Castro has pledged to stand with the democratically-elected administration of President Nicolás Maduro. | Photo: (AP Photo/Ariana Cubillos)
Wisconsin Bail Out the People Movement 
You must be logged in to post a comment.