Sanctioned Russian Tanker Docks in Cuba After US Allows Passage Despite Energy Blockade
A Russian tanker docked Tuesday at the Cuban port of Matanzas laden with 730,000 barrels of oil, marking the first time in three months that an oil tanker reached the island. The administration of U.S. President Donald Trump had allowed the Anatoly Kolodkin to proceed despite an ongoing U.S. energy blockade.
Cubans including Energy and Mines Minister Vicente de la O Levy cheered the ship’s arrival. A shortage of petroleum has exacerbated a deep economic crisis that has left the population mired in long blackouts and facing a severe shortage of food and medicine.
Cuban Economy Struggles Amid Energy Crisis
Cuba produces barely 40% of its required fuel and relies on imports to sustain its energy grid. Experts say the anticipated shipment could produce about 180,000 barrels of diesel, enough to feed Cuba’s daily demand for nine or 10 days. The country’s energy crisis has led to widespread blackouts, water shortages, and food scarcity.
Mixed Reactions Among Cubans
Some Cubans welcomed the arrival of the Russian tanker, while others questioned who would benefit from the newly arrived shipment. “A ship comes; it gives us aid. But who does it go to? Because we don‘t get anything here,” said 54-year-old Matanzas resident Leticia Almeida Barceló.
Fishermen and Residents Watch as Ship Docks
The vessel’s arrival was watched by some fishermen as it docked under the early morning sun. “We’ve been waiting for the ship to arrive because it’s been some time since any ship entered,” said 50-year-old Armando Ramirez. “And it is needed here for the people, for Cuba.”
Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Weighs In
Russian-flagged oil tanker Anatoly Kolodkin, right, docks at an oil terminal in Matanzas, Cuba, Tuesday, March 31, 2026. (AP Photo/Ramon Espinosa) Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Carlos Fernández de Cossío wrote on X, “The arrival of an oil tanker to a country has likely never generated so much news as the Russian one to Cuba… It’s a sign of the brutal siege Cubans endure with heroism and stoicism. It’s a demonstration of the criminal cruelty of imperialism against a nation that refuses to be dominated.”
Conclusion
The arrival of the Anatoly Kolodkin marks a rare moment of relief for the Cuban people, who have been struggling under the weight of an energy blockade. As the country continues to face economic and humanitarian challenges, the shipment of oil from Russia is a welcome respite.
Original Article: Sanctioned Russian tanker docks in Cuba after US allows passage despite energy blockade — Associated Press