Source: pbs.org/newshour /  U.S., Cuba agree to open embassies in each other’s capitals July 2015. U.S. relations with Cuba have disintegrated under current Trump administration.

By Gary Raynaldo  DIPLOMATIC  TIMES

The U.S. Department of State today announced sanctions on another Cuba Oil Importer with ties to Venezuela.   Back in July 2019, the U.S. Treasury Department blacklisted  Cuban state-run company ‘Cubametales’  for what it said is its  continued importation of oil from Venezuela.  The Treasury Department stated at the  time that Cuba, in exchange for the oil, continues to provide support, including defense, intelligence, and security assistance, to the “illegitimate regime of former President Nicolas Maduro.”    The Treasury’s sanctions on Cubametales “will disrupt Maduro’s attempts to use Venezuela’s oil as a bargaining tool to help his supporters purchase protection from Cuba and other malign foreign actors. Maduro is clinging to Cuba to stay in power, buying military and intelligence operatives in exchange for oil.”  Treasury Secretary Steven T. Mnuchin stated.

Secretary of State Michael Pompeo said the latest round of sanctions is to prevent Cubametales from circumventing U.S. sanctions.

“Today, the United States is taking action to prevent Cubametales from circumventing U.S.  sanctions. Cubametales is a Cuban state-run company and the primary facilitator of illegal oil imports from Venezuela.  To further contain their action, we are putting sanctions on another Cuban company, Corporacion Panamericana S.A., pursuant to Executive Order 13850.”

-Secretary of State Michael Pompeo

The U.S Secretary of State said that since Cubametales was sanctioned this summer, it has  had trouble finding companies willing to conduct business with it.

Corporacion Panamericana  S.A.  Helping Cubametales  Evade U.S. Sancitons:  Pompeo

“It has relied on this company to evade sanctions as it carries out the oil for repression scheme between Cuba and Venezuela, a scheme declared illegal by the legitimate government of Venezuela. The Venezuelan and Cuban people continue to suffer at the hands of despotic actors who put their own interests above the interests of their people. Today’s action will further squeeze the illegal, profitmaking scheme Cuba carries out to help the illegitimate dictator Nicolas Maduro and his unraveling network of corrupt advisors.”    Pompeo added.

Cuba Accuses US of Violating Vienna Conventions With Latest Oil Sanctions 

I denounce new #US extraterritorial sanction against another Cuban company, announced by Sec. of State Pompeo, in violation of International Law and the rules of trade. The world condemns the genocidal blockade against #Cuba. | #UnblockCuba pic.twitter.com/QAkypaegz4

— Bruno Rodríguez P (@BrunoRguezP) November 26, 2019