US allows Russian oil tanker to deliver crude to Cuba amid blockade and energy crisis
Consensus Summary
The US is allowing a Russian oil tanker, the Anatoly Kolodkin, to deliver approximately 650,000–730,000 barrels of crude oil to Cuba’s Matanzas port after three months without imports, exacerbating the island’s energy crisis. Both sources confirm the shipment—tracked by MarineTraffic and LSEG—could supply Cuba’s daily diesel demand for nine to ten days, providing temporary relief amid severe rationing and blackouts. President Donald Trump publicly stated he has ‘no problem’ with the shipment, framing it as necessary for Cuban survival, though he dismissed its geopolitical implications for Russia. The US has maintained a de facto oil blockade since 2019, cutting off Venezuelan supplies after the arrest of Nicolás Maduro, while threatening third countries like Mexico that previously supplied Cuba. The Guardian highlights the broader context of US sanctions relief for Russia and a second rerouted vessel, while ABC emphasizes Trump’s aggressive rhetoric about ‘taking Cuba’ and the humanitarian toll of the blockade. Discrepancies include barrel counts (650k vs. 730k) and framing—ABC leans into Trump’s direct quotes and regime-change language, whereas the Guardian focuses on economic pressure and operational details like vessel rerouting.
✓ Verified by 2+ sources
Key details reported by multiple sources:
- The Russian-flagged tanker Anatoly Kolodkin is carrying approximately 650,000–730,000 barrels of Urals crude oil from Primorsk to Cuba’s Matanzas port
- The tanker was last tracked just off the eastern tip of Cuba (as of Sunday/Monday) and expected to arrive by Tuesday local time
- Cuba has faced no oil imports for three months, leading to severe gasoline rationing, energy crises, and widespread blackouts
- The US has effectively blocked all oil shipments to Cuba since 2019, including cutting off Venezuelan oil supplies after the arrest of Nicolás Maduro on January 3
- The Anatoly Kolodkin is sanctioned by the US, EU, and UK due to Russia’s war in Ukraine
- Cuba’s daily diesel demand is approximately 180,000 barrels, and the shipment could supply the island for 9–10 days
- Donald Trump stated he has ‘no problem’ with the Russian oil shipment reaching Cuba, framing it as humanitarian relief
Points of Difference
Details reported by only one source:
- The US temporarily lifted sanctions on Russia to improve oil flow after Israeli military strikes on Iran restricted supply
- A second Russian-origin vessel, the Hong Kong-flagged Sea Horse, was rerouted from Cuba to Venezuela with 200,000 barrels of fuel
- The blockade was described as a ‘de facto oil blockade’ imposed by Washington, with Trump threatening punitive tariffs on third countries supplying Cuba
- Cuba’s President Miguel Díaz-Canel explicitly mentioned the three-month oil import hiatus during a public address
- The US official cited by the New York Times (reported in the Guardian) confirmed the tanker’s destination to Cuba
- Trump directly quoted saying, ‘We have a tanker out there. We don’t mind having somebody get a boatload because they need…they have to survive’
- Trump dismissed the idea that the shipment helps Russia, stating, ‘He loses one boatload of oil, that’s all it is’
- Cuban state media journalists reported the tanker’s expected arrival, though Cuban officials did not immediately comment
- Trump previously stated he would ‘have the honour of taking Cuba’ and claimed, ‘They’re a very weakened nation right now’
- The article highlights humanitarian aid (solar panels) being unloaded in Havana Bay by Mexican activists
- Trump’s administration was described as the most aggressive toward Cuba in recent history, targeting regime change
Contradictions
Conflicting information between sources:
- The Guardian reports the tanker carries 650,000 barrels, while ABC states it carries 730,000 barrels
- The Guardian mentions the US lifted sanctions on Russia to improve oil flow after Israeli strikes on Iran, which ABC does not reference
- ABC quotes Trump directly about the shipment being ‘humanitarian relief,’ while the Guardian frames it as a ‘lifeline’ without Trump’s explicit wording
- The Guardian notes the Sea Horse was rerouted to Venezuela with 200,000 barrels, but ABC does not mention this vessel’s fate
- ABC describes the blockade as targeting ‘regime change’ explicitly, while the Guardian avoids this framing and focuses on economic pressure
Source Articles
US will reportedly allow Russian oil tanker to reach Cuba amid blockade
Anatoly Kolodkin could soon discharge at Matanzas port, US official says, three months after Cuba’s last oil import The US is allowing a Russian tanker full of crude oil to reach Cuba , the New York T...
Trump has 'no problem' with Russian oil shipment to Cuba
President Donald Trump has said he has "no problem" with a Russian oil tanker off the coast of Cuba delivering relief to the island, which has been brought to its knees by a US oil blockade....