Russian Oil Shipments to Cuba Challenge U.S. Influence Amid Island’s Crisis
HAVANA – Cuba is bracing for the arrival of its first Russian oil shipments of the year, a move that underscores growing energy ties between the two nations and challenges U.S. efforts to isolate the island nation. The shipments come as Cuba grapples with a severe economic crisis, crippling power outages, and widespread shortages of food and medicine.
The Russian-flagged tanker Anatoly Kolodkin is approximately 3,000 nautical miles from Cuba and expected to arrive within 10 days, carrying 730,000 barrels of crude oil, according to Jorge Piñón, an expert at the University of Texas Energy Institute. A second vessel, the Hong Kong-flagged Sea Horse, is also reportedly en route with around 200,000 barrels of diesel fuel.
The arrival of these shipments would mark the first oil deliveries to Cuba in three months, following a de facto U.S. energy blockade. The Anatoly Kolodkin and Sea Horse are both on lists of vessels sanctioned by the United States, the European Union, and the United Kingdom following the war in Ukraine.
Cuba relies on Russia, Mexico, and Venezuela for the majority of its petroleum needs, producing only about 40% domestically. However, critical shipments from Venezuela have been disrupted following recent political developments. In January, former U.S. President Donald Trump threatened to impose tariffs on any country supplying oil to Cuba, leading Mexico to halt its shipments.
The energy crisis has exacerbated existing economic woes, resulting in 10-hour blackouts, reduced working hours, and a decline in tourism – a vital source of income for Cuba. The situation has also sparked small-scale protests.
“The fuel will likely be used for ‘critical sectors of the economy,’ such as transportation and agriculture,” Piñón said. Cuba consumes roughly 20,000 barrels of diesel per day, and the Sea Horse’s cargo may not fully meet the island’s demand given limited storage capacity.
U.S. officials are monitoring the situation. Gen. Francis Donovan, head of the U.S. Southern Command, testified before the Senate on Thursday that his officers are tracking a Russian destroyer accompanied by an oil replenishment ship headed for Cuba. While Donovan downplayed the potential impact on Cuba’s oil supplies, he affirmed that the U.S. military’s focus remains on protecting its embassy and naval base at Guantanamo Bay, as well as responding to potential migration or humanitarian crises.
The deepening crisis has prompted international aid efforts. This week, European activists delivered over four tons of medical supplies to Cuba as part of an ongoing international convoy. Additional aid, including solar panels, medical supplies, and food, is expected to arrive Friday and Saturday via plane and a flotilla.
The Cuban government has acknowledged ongoing talks with the United States while defending its sovereignty. The island nation has been facing a severe economic crisis since the beginning of the decade, fueled by tightened U.S. sanctions, the COVID-19 pandemic, and internal financial reforms that have triggered inflation. This has led to a surge in emigration, particularly among young people and skilled workers.