Havana: A Russian-flagged tanker carrying Russian crude oil has arrived in Cuba after Washington waived sanctions on the ship, permitting it to bypass a de-facto US oil embargo of the Caribbean island. The decision by US President Donald Trump's administration to allow the Anatoly Kolodkin to dock in Cuba comes as the country endures nearly unprecedented energy blackouts, pushing it toward collapse.
According to Radio Free Europe Radio Liberty, the decision has raised eyebrows among critics who argue that the administration is rewarding Moscow, sending the wrong message at a time when Russia is reportedly providing sensitive intelligence to Iran in retaliation for US and Israeli air strikes. US-backed efforts to resolve the more than four-year-old Ukraine war have also faltered, partially due to Moscow's hard-line stance regarding Ukrainian territory.
The delivery marks the first oil imports in over two months for the Caribbean nation, which has implemented strict gasoline rationing amid massive power outages. Earlier this month, the US Treasury Department issued a license explicitly barring Cuba from receiving Russian oil, adding it to the list of restricted countries. The Anatoly Kolodkin departed from the Russian port of Primorsk after loading approximately 700,000 barrels of crude oil. Ship trackers noted the Cuba-bound vessel had previously stopped in the mid-Atlantic Ocean amid uncertainty over whether the United States would permit it to dock.
Responding to reporters' questions on March 29 about the ship's potential docking, Trump stated, "We don't mind somebody getting a boatload...because they have to survive." He further added, "If someone wants to send oil to Cuba right now, I don't have a problem with that, whether it's Russia or not." Russia's Transport Ministry confirmed on March 30 that the ship had docked in Cuba.
The Trump administration has been exploring methods to mitigate the impact of soaring global energy prices resulting from the monthlong war with Iran. Previously, the administration eased some sanctions on Russia, initially imposed to penalize the Kremlin for its actions in Ukraine. Some US lawmakers, European leaders, and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy have criticized the decision, suggesting it will aid Moscow in funding its invasion of Ukraine.
Meanwhile, Ukraine has initiated a targeted drone campaign against some of Russia's most important oil export terminals in the Baltic Sea. The blockade on Cuban oil shipments occurs as Washington increases pressure on the Havana government. At an economic forum in Miami on March 27, Trump referenced the operation to capture Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro, resulting in significant changes in Caracas's government.
"We have been very, very successful. You know, when I went into Venezuela...I built this great military, I said, you'll never have to use it, but sometimes you have to use it," Trump remarked. "And Cuba's next, by the way, but pretend I didn't say that, please." Trump has also hinted at the US taking action "very soon" concerning Cuba.
The island nation, approximately 145 kilometers off the coast of Florida, has been a consistent challenge for US administrations since the revolution led by Fidel Castro, who took power in 1959 and established a communist-led government with close ties to the Soviet Union. Trump mentioned he has asked US Secretary of State Marco Rubio to lead talks with Cuban officials and has spoken of a "friendly" takeover of the island.