Jamaican gov't denies report claiming it refused to sell gas to Cuba
Key Points(5)
- The Government of Jamaica has refuted an online report claiming that the country turned away a Cuban-registered tanker seeking to purchase Liquified Petroleum Gas (LPG).
- Cuba is facing a deep fuel and energy crisis driven in large part by the disruption of oil imports, especially after Venezuelan shipments stopped in mid‑December 2025, leaving the island increasingly without the fuel it relies on for electricity and transport.
- "The report does not mention any credible source of information to verify its claims.
- At no time was the Government of Jamaica or any private entity involved in the country’s oil and gas industry contacted to verify the report," the government said in a statement on Monday, referencing a news article that published the story.
- “It is important to note that the country’s sole oil refinery, Petrojam, a 100%-government-owned entity, has never exported LPG,” Minister of Transport and Mining Daryl Vaz said.
The Government of Jamaica has refuted an online report claiming that the country turned away a Cuban-registered tanker seeking to purchase Liquified Petroleum Gas (LPG).
Cuba is facing a deep fuel and energy crisis driven in large part by the disruption of oil imports, especially after Venezuelan shipments stopped in mid‑December 2025, leaving the island increasingly without the fuel it relies on for electricity and transport.
"The report does not mention any credible source of information to verify its claims. At no time was the Government of Jamaica or any private entity involved in the country’s oil and gas industry contacted to verify the report," the government said in a statement on Monday, referencing a news article that published the story.
“It is important to note that the country’s sole oil refinery, Petrojam, a 100%-government-owned entity, has never exported LPG,” Minister of Transport and Mining Daryl Vaz said. “Similarly, feedback from our private sector counterparts in the oil and gas sector shows that they also do not export LPG.”
Petrojam remains Jamaica’s largest importer of LPG for industrial, commercial, and household use within the country.
The false report emerged amid social media discussions surrounding new U.S. sanctions on Cuba and claimed that the Cuban LPG tanker Emilia returned empty after Jamaica allegedly declined to load fuel. Minister Vaz emphasized that the report is entirely inaccurate.
“Misinformation during this time might spark unnecessary fear and anxiety,” he said. “The Government of Jamaica continues to remind the public, especially persons on social media, to seek information from credible news sources, including the Jamaica Information Service. Official, verifiable information can also be found via Government of Jamaica websites and social media handles for respective ministers and government departments.”
In a tweet, Minister Vaz reiterated the message, stating:
“It is important to note that the country’s sole oil refinery, Petrojam, a 100%-government-owned entity, has never exported LPG. Similarly, feedback from our private sector counterparts in the oil and gas sector shows that they also do not export LPG. Misinformation during this time might spark unnecessary fear and anxiety. The Government of Jamaica therefore continues to remind the public, especially persons on social media, to seek information from credible news sources, including the Jamaica Information Service.”
