Dem Pramila Jayapal tries to sneak oil into Cuba despite the blockade, talks to ambassadors

WASHINGTON, DC: In a shocking development in domestic politics, what extends beyond the US’ border, a Democratic representative, Pramila Jayapal, admitted to trying to sneak oil into Cuba amid the growing humanitarian crisis due to a lack of oil and other natural resources.

In a video, Jayapal admitted that she had a conversation with the “ambassadors from Mexico and some other places,” sparking backlash online and raising legal concerns.

Dem Representative worked to sneak oil into Cuba

Rep. Pramila Jayapal made the remarks during a recent Seattle briefing following a congressional delegation's trip to Cuba. Jayapal defended her move as "literally our right and responsibility” as she discussed the worsening fuel crisis in Cuba and the impact of the US’s policies on the island.

"I was in conversations with the ambassadors from Mexico and some other places … trying to figure out how to get oil there," Jayapal said, calling the situation on the island "a crisis beyond imagination."

According to her, the event was organized as part of a broader briefing on the developing crisis in Cuba, which is caused by the US’s blockade.

"As many of you know, I traveled to Cuba as part of a congressional delegation last month," she said. "It is part of my role to see how U.S. foreign policy is actually affecting the people in the countries where that policy is being implemented."

As she progressed further on her brief, Jayapal said she met people coming from different realms of society during her trip to Cuba, including President Miguel Díaz-Canel, senior government officials, political dissidents, civil society groups, and foreign diplomats.

Pramila Jayapal's efforts to sneak oil into Cuba spark outrage

As her video from the briefing, admitting that she tried to talk to people to explore ways to send oil to Cuba, went viral, people raised legal concerns alleging she was “conspiring against the US.”

Conservatives, including End Wokeness, alleged that Jayapal was conspiring against the US as several handles reshared her video. X users suggested that she could invite legal action.

A popular social media handle, Libs of TikTok, wrote that her actions "seem a little like treason to me."

Jayapal responded to the backlash with an X post demanding her arrest over her claim that she met with people and discussed sending oil to Cuba.

Pramila Jayapal wrote, "Breaking news: Members of Congress meet with ambassadors of other countries every day.

“That’s literally our right and responsibility."

Pramila Jayapal calls US sanctions on Cuba ‘economic bombing’

Jayapal’s remarks follow her frequent criticism of the US’s sanctions on Cuba. She has also described it as “economic bombing of the infrastructure.”

"It is illegal. It is against the law," she said. "This is essentially doing the same thing. It is bombing the infrastructure of Cuba with economic sanctions that essentially ensure that the infrastructure collapses."

The development has also initiated discussion around a rarely used federal law, the Logan Act. The act prohibits unauthorized individuals from negotiating with foreign governments in matters and disputes involving the US government.

The Trump administration has previously described the Cuban government as a national security concern due to its ties with Iran and alleged links to groups such as Hezbollah.