United States and Cuba Sign Bilateral Oil Spill Preparedness and Response Agreement

Office of the Spokesperson
Washington, DC

The United States and Cuba signed a bilateral agreement to prepare for and respond to oil spills and hazardous substance pollution in the Gulf of Mexico and the Straits of Florida on January 9, 2017.

Under this agreement, the United States and Cuba will cooperate and coordinate in an effort to prevent, contain, and clean up marine oil and other hazardous pollution in order to minimize adverse effects to public health and safety and the environment.

Chargé d’Affaires of the U.S. Embassy in Havana Jeffrey DeLaurentis signed the agreement on behalf of the United States. Vice Minister Eduardo Rodríguez Dávila of the Ministry of Transportation signed for the Republic of Cuba.

Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Cuba
Havana, Republic of Cuba

On Monday, January 9, the Cuban and US governments signed the "Cooperation Agreement between the United States of America and the Republic of Cuba on the preparation and response to pollution caused by oil spills. Hydrocarbons and other harmful and potentially hazardous substances in the Gulf of Mexico and the Strait of Florida. "

Its was signed by the Deputy Minister of Development of the Ministry of Transport (MITRANS), Eduardo Rodríguez Davila and the charge d'affaires of the United States Embassy in Havana, Jeffrey DeLaurentis.