Cuba seeks oil near Keys

Few Americans paid much attention last year when Cuban President Fidel Castro announced China would help explore potentially large oil reserves off Cuba’s northwest coast — not far from the Florida Keys.But now — with gas prices climbing above $3 a gallon — the prospect of China drilling near the United States has become a hot political issue as two of the world’s largest economies vie for new sources of energy.

Some members of Congress warn that China and other countries could lock up oil supplies at a time when U.S. companies are barred from doing business with Cuba because of a 43-year-old trade embargo.

St Petersburg Times