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The government turned down the request as the U.S. State Department has been weighing a reduction in staffing at the embassy in the Cuban capital of Havana because of the lack of diesel.
The White House, State Department and Cuban Embassy in Washington did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
Cuba has struggled with dwindling oil since the U.S. removed Venezuela’s leader, halting critical petroleum shipments from the nation that had been a steadfast ally to Havana.
President Donald Trump then threatened tariffs on any country selling or supplying Cuba with oil.
The standoff on diesel comes as Trump has been pressing for dramatic change in government led by Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel.
Humanitarian organizations began delivering aid to Cuba by air Friday, including solar panels, food and medicine. »