Cuba Braces for Possible Oil Spill "Disaster"

Cuba's civil defense chief said Tuesday that authorities are preparing coastal residents for the oil spill fouling the Gulf of Mexico, and a top military official said its possible arrival would be "a disaster."

It still is unclear whether some of the millions of gallons of spilled crude will reach Cuba, though government scientists appeared on state television within days of the April 20 rig explosion that touched off the spill to say the island was not immediately at risk.

Special Section: Disaster in the Gulf

So far there has been no apparent impact on tourism to the island's breathtaking north coast beaches.

"In Cuba we have had small spills involving tankers on our coasts, but we've never had to confront anything of this magnitude," Gen. Ramon Espinosa, vice minister of the armed forces, said at a government meeting on natural disaster preparedness. "Nonetheless we are documenting and studying. We are preparing with everything in our power."

Espinosa provided no details on preparations, but added that "for Cuba it would be a disaster" if the spill hits.

Some oil has already reached the coast of Florida, and scientists worry that crude will get caught up in the loop current, a ribbon of warm water that begins in the Gulf of Mexico and wraps around Florida.

U.S. and Cuban officials have put aside nearly 50 years of frigid relations to hold working-level talks on how to respond. Espinosa said he had no information on any concrete cooperation.

Speaking on the sidelines of the same event, Ramon Pardo, head of Cuban civil defense, also said he could not comment on discussions with Washington.

But Pardo said Havana "is taking all precautions: the preparation of the coast, vigilance, creating all necessary conditions, preparing the people who live on the coasts that could be impacted."

Both Espinosa and Pardo said the island will rely on the expertise of Venezuela, one of Cuba's top allies and a major oil producer.

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[tsigili]

This spill, is going to pollute an unbelievable area, due to how prolonged the flow has been. The world is going to be shocked, in the end, by the magnitude of damage done.

[wjksea]

What we can't see can't hurt us.

[erasmus111]

by wjksea June 16, 2010 2:50 PM EDT
What we can't see can't hurt us.


Well when it hits the shores of eastern Canada, you are going to know what hurtin's all about.

[larrryshrine]

As one who comes from Florida, I have known many Cubans. They are hard-working, have built a life in America, and many have not seen their families in years. I would hate for the oil to hit Cuba; it is a beautiful island. I would hope we could put our differences aside and work together to make sure the oil doesn't hit those beaches. I detest the embargo; all it has done is bring poverty to the Cuban people. I hope in my lifetime I can go there to visit.

[JustYourAverageReader]

You should be able to visit Cuba. http://www.usacubatravel.com/

[larrryshrine]

Thank you. It's hard to travel international with my service dog but I am going to give it my best shot. Wouldn't it be cool to go around Cuba with my trusty canine.

[jstaro]

Notice how little our media not only don't mention, I haven't heard one yet, but give a damn about the Island of Cuba and it's residents as to Our Corporate Disaster!! Yep our 'enemy' Cuba is still much more dangerous, so we must hate and show No Care, then an Extremely Dangerous Environmental, for profits only, Disaster!!!!!

[sophiewack]

I'd be willing to bet BP has no intention of helping Cuba out when the oil reaches their shores. As you stated, they are our ememy!(although I have no clue as to why)

[imthaid]

@sophiewack... Cuba is not MY enemy. They never did anything to me.