Russia has announced that an oil tanker carrying 100,000 metric tons of crude oil has arrived in Cuba, marking a significant move amid ongoing U.S. sanctions. The tanker, named Anatoly Kolodkin, is set to offload at the port of Matanzas, as Russia commits to supporting Havana despite a U.S. blockade that has restricted Cuba’s energy supplies.
The Kremlin emphasized its duty to assist its allies, with spokesman Dmitry Peskov stating that Russia would continue to provide fuel to Cuba, which has faced an energy crisis for the past three months, resulting in widespread blackouts and increased health risks for vulnerable populations.
The arrival comes after the U.S. cut off Venezuela's oil exports to Cuba and threatened tariffs on any other shipments, though recent signals from U.S.
President Donald Trump suggest a possible softening of stance regarding Cuba’s energy needs.
Cuba, historically dependent on Soviet-era oil imports, has been grappling with an energy shortage that has impacted daily life and health services.
Moscow’s support underscores the geopolitical tensions surrounding Cuba’s economic and energy crisis.
The tanker departed from Russia’s Baltic Sea port of Primorsk on March 8 and is currently navigating along Cuba’s northern coast, according to ship-tracking data.
