Russia has described fuel supplies to Cuba as humanitarian aid
On March 25, Russian Energy Minister Sergei Tsivilov stated that Moscow is supplying fuel to Cuba as humanitarian aid.
This was reported by Reuters.
The U.S. Department of the Treasury amended the terms of a previously issued license for the sale of crude oil and petroleum products of Russian origin already loaded onto tankers, specifically excluding transactions involving North Korea, Cuba, and Crimea.
Power outages have become a common occurrence in Cuba. According to LSEG, the country’s ports have received only two tankers carrying imported oil this year.
On Friday, a fuel tanker that was initially headed for Cuba changed its destination to Trinidad and Tobago, according to LSEG ship tracking data. This was a blow to the island, which is suffering from an acute fuel shortage that has led to power outages.
Meanwhile, two tankers carrying Russian oil and liquefied natural gas are expected to arrive in Cuba as early as next week, in defiance of U.S. President Donald Trump’s energy embargo.
The Hong Kong-flagged tanker Sea Horse, carrying about 27,000 tons of Russian gas, was redirected to Cuba after changing course last month. The vessel is expected to arrive on the island in the coming days. The arrival of the second tanker—the Russian “Anatoly Kolodkin,” carrying 725,000–728,000 barrels of oil—is expected in early April.
Due to the oil embargo, fuel reserves in Cuba are rapidly dwindling, and the country is experiencing one of the deepest crises in its history. Regular power outages have become the norm, while a recent total blackout left the entire island without electricity.
Earlier, Russia declared its “unwavering solidarity” with Cuba following remarks by U.S. President Donald Trump about the possibility of “taking over Cuba” and acting at his own discretion regarding the island nation.
The Russian Foreign Ministry, without mentioning Trump directly, expressed serious concern over the escalation of tensions surrounding Cuba, which it referred to as the “Island of Freedom.”
As a reminder, the U.S. has banned the supply of Russian oil to Cuba.
Cuba has restored its power grid following a massive blackout.
Recall that Trump confirmed the U.S. intention to intervene in Cuba.
Cuba will also attract investments from the diaspora to save the economy from crisis. Cuba has restored its power grid following a massive blackout.
Recall that Trump confirmed the U.S. intention to intervene in Cuba.
Cuba will also attract investments from the diaspora to rescue the economy from the crisis.
