Story perspectives

U.S. Seizes 600,000 Gallons Biodiesel Heading to Cuba

By Drooid · Oct 8, 2026, 5:16 PM UTC · How we work

Summary

U.S. Seizes Biodiesel

U.S. authorities seized over 600,000 gallons of biodiesel bound for Cuba, valued at $2.8 million.
Port Everglades held about 500,000 gallons and Port Houston about 120,000 gallons of the seized biodiesel.
All shipments were destined for ENETEC S.A., a Havana-based state-owned fuel wholesaler sanctioned in July.
The Coast Guard intercepted the cargo vessel Grace on Sept. 5 while it carried fuel between Cuba and Mexico.

Summary

Mexican Navy Verifies Fuel

Mexican Navy inspectors in Progreso verified large fuel stores in the ship Grace’s ballast tanks.
Coast Guard officials declined to state whether the boarding relied on U.S. law or international law.
Admiral Kevin Lunday said the high seas are not a sanctuary for lawlessness, emphasizing enforcement.
La Jornada reported Mexico’s foreign ministry had not responded about its role in the operation.

History

Historical Context

In 1996 Congress passed the Helms-Burton Act, intensifying the U.S. embargo and authorizing enforcement actions against ships carrying fuel to Cuba, as shown by the Treasury’s seizure of the cargo vessel Goya with 1.2 million gallons of diesel. In September 2023 the Coast Guard boarded the cargo ship Grace, confiscating over 600,000 gallons of biodiesel destined for ENETEC, underscoring the act’s lasting enforcement.

1 of 3

U.S. Seizes Biodiesel

U.S. authorities seized over 600,000 gallons of biodiesel bound for Cuba, valued at $2.8 million.
Port Everglades held about 500,000 gallons and Port Houston about 120,000 gallons of the seized biodiesel.
All shipments were destined for ENETEC S.A., a Havana-based state-owned fuel wholesaler sanctioned in July.
The Coast Guard intercepted the cargo vessel Grace on Sept. 5 while it carried fuel between Cuba and Mexico.

1 / 3