US Coast Guard intercepts ship carrying illegal fuel bound for Cuba

According to its own information, the US Coast Guard intercepted a ship in the Caribbean carrying what the United States said was an illegal shipment of fuel for Cuba. A tactical team boarded the ship Grace in early September and escorted it to the port of Progreso, Mexico, the Coast Guard said.

The Mexican Navy has also confirmed that there were large amounts of fuel in the ship's ballast tanks. Normally these are filled with water, for example to regulate the stability of the ship. There were also several containers with suspected illegally traded fuel on the ship itself.

A US oil blockade against Cuba has been in effect since December. The cessation of deliveries from third countries exacerbated the already critical energy situation in the state. However, the Cuban private sector is allowed to import fuel from the USA. The US government wants to force economic and political reforms in Cuba in the interests of its interests through a series of sanctions.

According to the US Coast Guard, the motor ship Grace used deception maneuvers to avoid detection. "The high seas are not a haven for lawlessness," said US Coast Guard Chief Kevin Lunday. It was not initially known how much fuel was on the ship and which flag it was flying.