Russia Set to Deliver Oil to Cuba Amid U.S. Pressure

U.S. President Donald Trump has indicated that Russia may proceed with an oil shipment to Cuba despite Washington’s ongoing fuel restrictions, as a tanker carrying crude approaches the island.

The vessel, Anatoly Kolodkin, loaded with about 730,000 barrels of crude, was spotted off Cuba’s northeastern coast and is expected to dock at the western port of Matanzas. The delivery would mark the first oil shipment to Cuba since January, offering temporary relief to the country’s worsening energy crisis.

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Speaking to reporters, Trump said he would not block the shipment. “If a country wants to send some oil into Cuba right now, I have no problem with that, whether it’s Russia or not,” he said.

However, he maintained a hard stance on Cuba’s leadership, adding, “Cuba’s finished, they have a bad regime, they have very bad and corrupt leadership, and whether or not they get a boat of oil, it’s not going to matter.”

Cuba has been grappling with severe fuel shortages following the loss of support from its long-time ally, Nicolás Maduro, earlier this year. The shortage has led to soaring fuel prices, reduced public transport, and frequent power outages, with the country experiencing multiple nationwide blackouts in recent months.

President Miguel Díaz-Canel has introduced emergency measures, including fuel rationing, to manage the crisis. He warned that “any external aggressor will encounter an unbreakable resistance.”

Energy experts estimate that once processed, the crude shipment could yield about 250,000 barrels of diesel, enough to meet Cuba’s demand for roughly two weeks. Authorities are expected to decide whether to prioritize electricity generation or transportation needs.

Despite the temporary relief, analysts note that Cuba’s structural energy challenges remain unresolved, with aging infrastructure and limited access to global energy markets continuing to strain the economy.