The United States has not imposed an oil blockade on Cuba, according to US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who attributes the country's economic struggles to mismanagement. Speaking on Tuesday (5), Rubio stated, "There is no oil blockade on Cuba itself." He noted that Cuba was accustomed to receiving free oil from Venezuela, which it then resold. However, the Venezuelan government has stopped providing free oil to Cuba. On January 29, President Donald Trump issued a decree designating the Cuban communist regime as an "extraordinary threat," which led to additional tariffs on countries selling oil to Cuba. The US Navy has deployed a flotilla to deter oil shipments to the island. Despite this, the US allowed a Russian tanker to pass. Rubio stated that Cuba's economic model is failing. The end of Venezuelan oil supplies has worsened the situation, with frequent blackouts. Cuba accuses Washington of maintaining pressure since the 1959 Revolution. Rubio, of Cuban descent, has a personal interest in Cuba's policies. He said the US wants to discuss Cuba at the Vatican and has sent $6 million in humanitarian aid, distributed through the Church. He added that the regime needs to authorize further aid. Both Washington and Havana acknowledge maintaining political contacts, but they disagree on the scope of negotiations.