US will reportedly allow Russian oil tanker to reach Cuba amid blockade
5 hours ago
- #US-Cuba relations
- #oil sanctions
- #Russian tanker
- Trump indicated a new flexibility in allowing oil shipments to Cuba, specifically mentioning no issue with Russia sending oil.
- The U.S. had previously blocked oil shipments to Cuba to pressure its government, but a Russian tanker carrying 730,000 barrels of crude is expected to arrive.
- This shipment could provide significant relief to Cuba, which hasn't received oil imports for three months, leading to gasoline rationing and power outages.
- Cuba lost its main oil supplier, Venezuela, after U.S. forces captured President Nicolás Maduro, and Trump threatened tariffs on countries sending oil to Cuba.
- Experts noted the U.S. did not intercept the tanker, and once in Cuban waters, it would be difficult to stop, potentially easing Cuba's energy crisis for about 12.5 days.