Senator Marco Rubio is initiating a proposal for the United States government to impose a blockade on oil imports to Cuba, according to a Politico report cited in an X post at 11:16 PM UTC on Jan. 23. The development, described as happening "NOW," marks the first consideration of such a blockade on the Cuban regime, as stated by journalist Agus Antonetti referencing Politico. This follows a separate report earlier on Jan. 23 attributing to Rubio comments on Mexico potentially halting oil shipments to Cuba to avoid US retaliation. US Southern Command activities in the region, including a lethal strike on a narco-trafficking vessel earlier today under Joint Task Force Southern Spear, provide operational context in the Eastern Pacific, per USSOUTHCOM statements.
