HAVANA: A Russian oil tanker topic to US sanctions is scheduled to reach in Cuba on Monday, difficult a de facto American gas blockade of the energy-starved island, delivery information exhibits.
The Anatoly Kolodkin, which is carrying 730,000 barrels of crude, was north of Haiti on Sunday (Mar 29) because it headed in direction of the port of Matanzas in western Cuba, in response to 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 acquired any oil since January, deepening an power disaster within the nation of 9.6 million folks.
President Miguel Diaz-Canel imposed emergency measures to preserve gas, together with strict rationing of gasoline.
Gas 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 underneath 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 break up when the tanker entered the Atlantic, in response to the British Royal Navy.
