Missing PDVSA shipments to Cuba raise questions over fuel supply and sanctions compliance

Nine cargo loads of crude and fuel oil sent by Venezuela’s state oil company to Cuba have not arrived at their declared destination, according to a new investigation. The findings complicate Havana’s narrative of fuel scarcity and highlight ongoing risks in sanctioned energy trade routes.

By Handelsavisen Newsroom · Automated 2026-07-28 11:02 UTC · 1 min read

Nine shipments of crude oil and fuel oil dispatched by Venezuela’s state-owned Petróleos de Venezuela (PDVSA) to Cuba have failed to appear at Cuban ports, despite official claims of severe fuel shortages on the island.

An investigation by Diario de Cuba, in collaboration with several independent media outlets, traces the missing cargo to intermediaries linked to Panamanian businessman Ramón Carretero Napolitano, who is subject to international sanctions.

Former PDVSA president Rafael Ramírez recently claimed that Venezuelan oil exports generated over $14 billion in the first half of 2026, yet the destination of many of these shipments remains unclear.

The discrepancy between reported exports and actual deliveries raises questions about the transparency of Venezuela’s energy exports and the mechanisms used to circumvent sanctions.

While Cuban authorities have cited a lack of fuel as the primary cause of widespread blackouts, the absence of these nine shipments suggests that supply chain disruptions may be more complex than officially acknowledged.

This development adds to growing scrutiny of PDVSA’s export practices.

Former PDVSA president Rafael Ramírez recently claimed that Venezuelan oil exports generated over $14 billion in the first half of 2026, yet the destination of many of these shipments remains unclear.