Cuba Prepares to Receive Sanctioned Russian Oil Tanker Amid US Blockade
Cuba is preparing to receive a sanctioned Russian oil tanker carrying roughly 730,000 barrels of oil, the first such fuel delivery this year to the island that has been severely impacted by a U.S. oil blockade.
The Russian-flagged Anatoly Kolodkin was reported to have already arrived at its destination, with some sources indicating it had sailed north of Cuba towards the port of Matanzas and would arrive within the next few hours. The tanker’s final destination is the port of Matanzas, a strategic hub for an island that produces barely 40% of its required fuel and relies on imports to sustain its energy grid.
Russian Assistance to Cuba Amid US Sanctions
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 anticipated shipment could produce about 180,000 barrels of diesel, enough to feed Cuba’s daily demand for nine or 10 days.
US Sanctions Policy Remains in Place
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 Trump administration has effectively cut Cuba off from key oil shipments in an effort to force regime change.
Humanitarian Crisis Deepens
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.
Mexico Continues to Provide Humanitarian Aid
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 Claudia Sheinbaum told journalists that her country will continue sending aid and that “work was underway” with Cuban authorities to trade oil in the future.
US Embassy in Havana Receives Fuel for Generators
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. “We have received assurances from the Cuban regime that they will honor their obligations under the Vienna Convention to allow the U.S. Embassy in Havana to make timely diplomatic shipments, including of energy supplies,” the department said.
Cuba has been at the heart of a geopolitical tug-of-war between the United States and Russia for years, with the island’s energy crisis serving as a key point of contention. The latest developments highlight the ongoing struggle for control over Cuba’s energy resources and the humanitarian impact on its citizens.
Original Article: Cuba to receive a sanctioned Russian oil tanker as it struggles under US blockade — Associated Press