Cuba’s Deputy FM: Sanctions Make It Hard for Cuba to Even Get a Screw

In an exclusive interview with Mehdi Hasan for Zeteo, Cuban Deputy Foreign Minister Carlos Fernández de Cossío explains how U.S. sanctions have crippled the island’s energy system — even blocking access to spare parts.

TRANSCRIPT

“What about the actual, specific issue of the energy crisis,” asked Zeteo’s editor-in-chief, Mehdi Hasan, “which a lot of people would say is due to the decreasing oil supply from your ally, Venezuela? Where does Cuba’s relationship with Venezuela stand right now? Are you looking to strengthen that relationship, despite the rising tensions between the U.S. and Venezuela?”

“The problem,” explained Carlos Fernández de Cossío, Cuban Deputy Foreign Minister, “is, first, the lack of fuel. Another one is an outdated capacity to generate. It has been very difficult.”

“To give you an example,” he continued, “the biggest power plant in Cuba was run by a French company with which we had maintenance and spare parts agreements for many years. It’s quite old, but it worked. In 2014 or 2015, General Electric bought that company. So, for us to get a screw…” he paused briefly, “…we have to go through a third market, or build it somewhere else. We can’t even get technical assistance or have advisors come and help.”

Cossío went on: “And that goes through a whole range of technology and infrastructure in general. Then you have U.S. sanctions on Venezuela—an additional issue—plus the price of oil, and a standing policy since 2019 by the United States aimed at depriving Cuba of oil shipments. Shipping companies that transport oil to Cuba are either sanctioned or threatened with sanctions, which means we have to pay extra for imported oil. And we’re not a rich country—we don’t have much money.”

“If they go to war with Venezuela,” asked Hasan, leaning forward, “where does that leave Cuba? Does Cuba get involved on the side of Venezuela, or does it try to stay out and remain neutral?”

“Cuba will give its full political support,” stated the deputy foreign minister firmly.

“Political support?” pressed Mehdi.

“If the U.S. goes to war with any country in Latin America,” Cossío answered, “it is a duty.”

“You chose your words carefully—political support,” followed up Hasan. “You will not get involved militarily to support Venezuela?”

“That’s a very dangerous question to answer,” said Cossío with a slight smile. “No, we’re not going to war with the United States.”

“No, I didn’t say you would,” clarified the interviewer, “but if the U.S. goes to war with Venezuela…?”

“We will give our full support to Venezuela,” reaffirmed the Cuban diplomat, “basically political support and solidarity.”