Rep. Jayapal Faces Backlash for Talks with Ambassadors on Cuba Oil Despite US Sanctions

Rep. Pramila Jayapal, D-Wash., drew backlash after saying she spoke with foreign ambassadors about delivering oil to Cuba despite US sanctions. She defended the outreach as "literally our right and responsibility."

Jayapal made the comments at a recent Seattle briefing after a congressional delegation trip to Cuba. There, she discussed the island's worsening fuel shortages and US policy toward the communist regime.

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

The event covered the humanitarian situation in Cuba following her visit last month. "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 US foreign policy is actually affecting the people in the countries where that policy is being implemented."

During the trip, she met Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel, senior government officials, political dissidents, civil society groups and foreign diplomats.

Video of her remarks spread widely on X. Users criticized the progressive lawmaker and raised legal concerns. Conservative accounts amplified the clip. End Wokeness claimed she was "conspiring against the US" and suggested her actions could constitute a federal felony. Libs of TikTok wrote that her actions "seems a little like treason to me."

"The Charlie Kirk Show" executive producer Andrew Kolvet wrote on X, "Traitor. She should be prosecuted."

Those claims represent political commentary and have not been independently verified. No investigation or charges have been publicly announced.

Jayapal responded on X. "Breaking news: Members of Congress meet with ambassadors of other countries every day. That’s literally our right and responsibility,"

She sharply criticized US sanctions on Cuba 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 controversy sparked talk of the Logan Act, a rarely used federal law barring unauthorized individuals from negotiating with foreign governments in disputes involving the United States.

Former federal prosecutor Andrew McCarthy told Fox News Digital the statute has never resulted in a conviction. "There has never been a conviction under it — in fact, there have only been two indictments, the last one about 174 years ago," he said.

He said any legal exposure would depend on whether a lawmaker took concrete action violating US sanctions. "There would be no criminal case … unless it can be shown that she took some action that violated, or aided and abetted a violation of, the sanctions," McCarthy said.

He argued disputes over engagement with foreign governments belong in political accountability, not criminal law.

Jayapal traveled to Cuba in April with Rep. Jonathan Jackson, D-Ill. She has argued US policy worsens conditions for civilians while acknowledging concerns with the Cuban government.

"I do also have criticisms of the Cuban government … In our meetings, I have always raised those," she said, referencing political prisoners and limits on dissent.

"The Cuban government has sent many signals that this is a new moment for the country," Jayapal said in a statement after the trip. She called US fuel restrictions "cruel collective punishment."

She has called for lifting the US embargo and removing Cuba from the State Sponsor of Terrorism list. She also backs legislation to block potential US military action against the country.

Fox News Digital reached out to Jayapal’s office, the White House and the State Department for comment.