The U.S. has allowed a Russian tanker to reach Cuba to save the island from a deep energy crisis
The U.S. Coast Guard has permitted a Russian tanker, laden with crude oil, to reach Cuba. This will provide Havana with a critically important energy supply after a prolonged blockade.
This was reported by RBC-Ukraine, citing sources from the New York Times.
What is known about the Russian tanker
According to MarineTraffic, a vessel data provider, the tanker carrying approximately 730,000 barrels of oil and owned by Russia was near Cuba on Sunday.
Traveling at a speed of 12 knots, the vessel was expected to enter Cuban waters by Sunday evening. The tanker could reach its anticipated destination – Matanzas, Cuba, by Tuesday.
The U.S. Coast Guard has two boats in the region that could have attempted to intercept the Russian tanker. However, the Trump administration did not order these vessels to act, as reported by an anonymous American official.
Why this happened
Analysts believe that the arrival of the Russian vessel will alleviate the energy crisis in Cuba, as the island’s oil reserves would soon be depleted.
This would also reduce pressure on the Cuban government, which is facing an inevitable economic crisis and escalating threats from Washington. Furthermore, it would signal that Cuba can still rely on its long-time ally, Russia.
What preceded this
The administration of U.S. leader Donald Trump has been enforcing something akin to a oil blockade around Cuba since January, threatening tariffs on countries that would supply fuel to the island.
As the NYT reports, the U.S. oil blockade is putting pressure on Cuba, leading to daily power outages, severe gas shortages, rising prices, and deteriorating healthcare.
This policy has drawn international criticism, particularly from the United Nations, which argues that the United States is causing a humanitarian crisis in Cuba.
At the same time, White House officials publicly threaten the Cuban government while secretly urging it to remove President Miguel Díaz-Canel.
U.S. pressure on Cuba
It is worth noting that a Russian tanker carrying oil to Cuba recently turned back due to a warning from the U.S., as reported by the media.
Shortly after operations in Venezuela, Trump began speaking about taking Cuba – a similar statement was recently made by him again. He stated that Washington’s next target after the war in Iran is Cuba.
