HAVANA: A Russian oil tanker topic to US sanctions is scheduled to reach in Cuba on Monday, difficult a de facto American gasoline blockade of the energy-starved island, transport knowledge reveals.
The Anatoly Kolodkin, which is carrying 730,000 barrels of crude, was north of Haiti on Sunday (Mar 29) because it headed in the direction of the port of Matanzas in western Cuba, based on maritime analytics agency Kpler.
Cuba misplaced its foremost regional ally and oil provider in January when US forces captured Venezuela’s socialist chief, Nicolas Maduro.
US President Donald Trump subsequently threatened to impose tariffs on any nation sending oil to Cuba and has mused about “taking” the communist-ruled island.
ENERGY CRISIS FOR CUBA’S 9.6M PEOPLE
The Cuban authorities says it has not obtained any oil since January, deepening an vitality disaster within the nation of 9.6 million folks.
President Miguel Diaz-Canel imposed emergency measures to preserve gasoline, together with strict rationing of gasoline.
Gasoline costs have soared, public transport has dwindled, and a few airways have suspended flights to Cuba.
The nation has suffered seven nationwide blackouts since 2024, together with two this month.
The Anatoly Kolodkin, which is beneath US sanctions, was loaded with oil within the Russian port of Primorsk on March 8.
It was escorted by a Russian navy ship throughout the English Channel, however the two vessels cut up when the tanker entered the Atlantic, based on the British Royal Navy.
