Sanctioned Russian Oil Tanker Set to Arrive in Cuba Despite U.S. Blockade
Cuba prepared Monday to receive a sanctioned Russian tanker carrying roughly 730,000 barrels of oil, marking the island’s first such delivery this year. The anticipated shipment could produce about 180,000 barrels of diesel, enough to feed Cuba’s daily demand for nine or 10 days.
The Russian-flagged Anatoly Kolodkin is expected to arrive at the port of Matanzas, a strategic hub for an island that produces barely 40 per cent of its required fuel and relies on imports to sustain its energy grid. The tanker‘s final destination was initially reported as having already arrived, but a state television announcer later clarified that it was sailing north of Cuba toward the port of Matanzas and will arrive within the next few hours.
Kremlin Spokesperson Weighs In
Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said Monday that Russia had previously discussed its oil shipment to Cuba with the United States. “Russia considers it its duty not to stand aside, but to provide the necessary assistance to our Cuban friends,” he told reporters. The statement comes a day after U.S. President Donald Trump told reporters he had “no problem” with the Russian oil tanker delivering relief to Cuba.
White House Press Secretary Clarifies
Asked about Trump’s decision to allow the Russian oil tanker and not ones from other nations, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt on Monday called it “a decision that will continue to be made on a case-by-case basis for humanitarian reasons or otherwise,” adding that “there’s been no firm change in our sanctions policy.” The statement suggests that the U.S. government may consider allowing future oil shipments from other nations, pending certain conditions.
Background: Cuba’s Energy Crisis
The blockade has had devastating effects on the civilians Trump and U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio say they want to help. Islandwide blackouts have roiled Cubans who have grappled with years of crisis, and a lack of gasoline and basic resources has crippled hospitals and slashed public transport. For years, Mexico sent oil to Cuba in solidarity as the island struggled with an energy crisis, but it was effectively forced to halt the shipments under the threat of U.S. tariffs. Mexico pivoted to sending humanitarian aid, including food and hygiene products.
Mexican President Weighs In
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum told journalists that her country will continue sending aid and that “work was under way” with Cuban authorities to trade oil in the future. She noted that private companies in Cuba, including hotels, “are looking for private entities willing to supply them with fuel,” and that they have approached Mexico’s state-owned oil company to purchase crude oil, adding that these requests are being reviewed.
U.S. State Department Reaches Agreement
In a separate but related matter, the U.S. State Department said Monday that it had reached an agreement with the Cuban government to supply fuel for its generators at the U.S. Embassy in Havana, which at least temporarily removes the possibility that staff at the diplomatic mission would have to leave. The move is seen as a step toward normalizing relations between the two countries.
Original Article: Sanctioned Russian oil tanker set to arrive in Cuba despite U.S. blockade — Theglobeandmail