A Russian oil tanker, carrying over 700,000 barrels of crude oil, arrived in Cuba on March 31, thanks to an exceptional permit granted by the Donald Trump administration. This shipment comes amid an energy crisis on the island, exacerbated by sanctions and supply shortages. The vessel, named Anatoly Kolodkin, headed to the port of Matanzas with the intention of alleviating the fuel shortage facing the country.
The Minister of Energy and Mines, Vicente De la O Levy, expressed gratitude to Russia for its support and for “this valuable cargo arriving amid the complex energy situation we are facing.” The Russian embassy also reiterated its commitment to assist Cuba during these challenging times.
This shipment is the first in three months and follows the disruption of oil flow from Venezuela, which has intensified blackouts and sparked protests in several cities. Trump stated that energy provision is crucial for the Cuban population, although he maintained criticisms of the island’s government.
The arrival of crude oil could temporarily ease the situation, as Cuba requires approximately 100,000 barrels daily to operate normally. The energy crisis has led the Cuban government to implement rationing measures and suspend airline operations. For more details on the crisis in Cuba, you can refer to the news about the war against Iran.
