Feds Seize Biodiesel Bound for Cuba

LINCOLN, Neb. (DTN) -- Federal authorities have seized 90 biodiesel fuel shipments, valued at more than $2.8 million, headed for Cuba illegally, the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement said in a news release on Wednesday.

The federal government alleges the shipments were part of an attempt to export fuel to Cuba in violation of federal export laws.

In early September 2026, according to an ICE news release, Customs and Border Protection, through coordinated intelligence and trade data analysis, identified shipments of biodiesel being illegally exported from Port Everglades and the Port of Houston to Enetec S.A. in Cuba. Enetec is a state-owned business in Havana that operates as a wholesale importer and exporter of fuels and other products.

ICE did not respond to DTN's request for additional information.

Homeland Security Investigations in Miami and Houston requested the detention of the biodiesel shipments, according to a news release.

A total of 71 shipments containing about 496,000 gallons of biodiesel at Port Everglades were seized, and 19 additional shipments containing about 119,000 gallons of biodiesel at the Port of Houston are currently detained.

The biodiesel shipments were seized based on suspected violations of federal export laws, including exportation contrary to law; the International Emergency Economic Powers Act; and regulations governing merchandise subject to the Export Administration Regulations.

The Miami Herald reported on Wednesday that it was unclear who the actual buyers of the biodiesel were, as Enetec is an importing agency and not the end user of the fuel.

The Herald cited an unnamed source linked to one of the companies shipping the fuel, who said the biodiesel was headed to a private company in Cuba. The Herald said the company received written approval from the U.S. Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control to conduct the biodiesel transaction.

"This seizure underscores HSI Miami's commitment to stopping fuel and other goods from the United States from being illegally exported to Cuba through sanctioned entities or deceptive commercial networks," HSI Miami Special Agent in Charge Jose R. Figueroa said in a statement.

"Working with our federal partners, we will continue to identify, disrupt and investigate efforts to evade U.S. sanctions, protect the integrity of U.S. export controls and deny the Cuban government access to resources obtained in violation of U.S. law."

Daniel Alonso, director of field operations at U.S. Customs and Border Protection, said in a statement: "U.S. Customs and Border Protection is steadfast in enforcing the laws of the United States across all domains, encompassing both incoming commerce and outbound shipments. Through vigilant outbound operations, our officers successfully intercepted these shipments and took appropriate action."

President Donald Trump signed an executive order on May 1, 2026, imposing sanctions against the Cuban government.

U.S. biodiesel exports to Cuba have been non-existent or restricted because of an economic embargo. The Trump administration did modify trade restrictions to allow private U.S. companies to export fuel to Cuba's private-sector entrepreneurs and humanitarian groups.

Todd Neeley can be reached at todd.neeley@dtn.com

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