Reports say U.S. is weighing total blockade on Cuban oil imports

The White House is reportedly weighing a total blockade of oil imports into Cuba to drive regime change, but government officials have divided opinions on the plan.

Some in the Trump administration were worried that a total blockade in the Caribbean country could trigger a humanitarian crisis.

In the wake of an overnight U.S. raid on Caracus which resulted in the capture of Venezuelan president Nicolas Maduro, Politico reported on Friday that Washington is considering a possible total oil blockade against Cuba.

People familiar with the matter said it is backed by US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, whose parents were immigrants from Cuba.

Some in the Trump administration argued that "energy is the chokehold to kill" the regime, claiming the Cuban government must be overthrown by year-end.

No final decision has been made so far on whether to approve the move because the possibility of a humanitarian crisis has led many officials to push back against it.

The Cuban economy is already throttled by the loss of Venezuelan oil shipments and the resale of some of those cargoes that Havana used to obtain foreign currency.

US President Donald Trump earlier declared that no oil shipments and money would go to Cuba.

In response, Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel said his country does not attack or threaten, but it is ready to defend the homeland to the last drop of blood.