US President Donald Trump signaled a temporary halt to blocking crude oil shipments, allowing a Russian oil tanker to dock in Cuba amid a severe energy crisis affecting citizens nationwide.
President Donald Trump of the United States surprised many by announcing he "has no problem" if any country sends crude oil to Cuba, while reports say a Russian oil tanker is heading toward Cuba’s coast to ease the worst energy crisis in years.
The oil tanker "Anatoly Kolodkin," part of Russia's "shadow fleet," carrying roughly 650,000 to 730,000 barrels of crude oil, departed Russia under escort by the Russian navy through the English Channel and was allowed by US Coast Guard to proceed to Cuba without obstruction. Analysts view this as avoiding a direct clash with Russia amid fragile global politics.
Previously, Cuba faced severe energy shortages after the US ordered a cutoff of oil exports from Venezuela and threatened sanctions on any country supplying oil to Cuba, resulting in no oil tankers docking for three months. This led to fuel rationing and widespread blackouts across the island, impacting public health systems, particularly cancer patients and children.
President Trump, speaking aboard Air Force One, expressed sympathy for the Cuban people who need energy to live and predicted that the communist Cuban government would ultimately collapse, whether it receives oil or not.
"If any country wants to send oil to Cuba now, I have no problem, whether it's Russia or anyone else," Trump said. "Cuba is finished. They have a terrible regime and corruption... but the people need heat and cooling to live, so I choose to let it go through."
Brett Erickson of consulting firm Obsidian Risk Advisors said the oil from this tanker would help Cuba have energy for about two and a half weeks, possibly extending to one month if rationed strictly, representing significant aid from Russia as Cuba’s traditional allies Syria and Venezuela weaken.
However, despite this concession, Trump continues to threaten the Cuban government and stated he will seriously address the Cuban issue again after completing the mission related to the Iran conflict.