US Coast Guard reports seizing two vessels carrying fuel to Cuba

WASHINGTON, October 2. /TASS/. The US Coast Guard said it had seized two vessels in recent months that, according to the US side, were carrying fuel to Cuba. According to the statement, the vessels were named Grace and Jaira Provider. In early September, Coast Guard personnel, which is a separate branch of the US armed forces, boarded Grace and escorted it to Mexico. The United States took control of Jaira Provider in the summer. The US side believes the vessels were used for illegal fuel deliveries to Cuba. The United States considers the vessels part of a shadow fleet but did not specify their ownership. In January, the US administration announced measures aimed at completely blocking fuel supplies to Cuba. Washington has also threatened to impose sanctions on countries supplying oil to the Caribbean nation. In recent months, US authorities have also stepped up restrictions against Havana. As a result, the situation in the Caribbean nation, primarily in the energy sector, has taken on the character of a crisis.