America's 50-year trade embargo with Cuba may severely impede effective spill response efforts as the Latin-American country begins drilling in the Straits of Florida, the International Association of Drilling Contractors (IADC) has warned.

The warning came after the Houston-based group visited the socialist island state late last month to discuss training and operational safety standards for deepwater drilling.

Speaking to the Houston Chronicle,Lee Hunt, chief executive of the IADC, said: "What is most in jeopardy in this is the US interest in our own Florida coastline and whether the embargo raises the risk by inhibiting cooperation, acquisition of best practices and appropriate response to serious incidents."

The US trade embargo began in 1960 and was made permanent in 1996 with the passing of the Helms-Burton Act, which prohibits all trading with Cuba until the country undergoes a democratic transition.

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