US allows Russian oil tanker to deliver fuel to Cuba amid US blockade
Consensus Summary
The US under President Donald Trump has allowed a sanctioned Russian oil tanker, the Anatoly Kolodkin, to deliver approximately 650,000–730,000 barrels of oil to Cuba amid a US-imposed blockade. The shipment aims to alleviate Cuba’s severe energy crisis, which includes three months without oil imports, rationed gasoline, and frequent blackouts. Both sources confirm the tanker’s route to Matanzas port and its potential to supply Cuba’s diesel needs for 9–10 days, though the exact volume differs slightly. Trump’s administration has aggressively cut off oil supplies from Venezuela and threatened sanctions on third countries, while the US temporarily eased Russian sanctions to address broader oil restrictions. The move contrasts with past US efforts to pressure Cuba, including Trump’s rhetoric about ‘taking’ the island. The Guardian highlights the geopolitical context of Russian vessels previously rerouted and the US military’s capture of Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro, while ABC emphasizes Trump’s direct statements justifying the shipment as humanitarian relief. Both articles agree on the humanitarian crisis in Cuba but diverge on specifics like the tanker’s exact capacity and the administration’s motivations.
✓ Verified by 2+ sources
Key details reported by multiple sources:
- The Russian oil tanker Anatoly Kolodkin is carrying approximately 650,000–730,000 barrels of oil (650,000 per Guardian, 730,000 per ABC) and is en route to Cuba’s Matanzas port.
- The vessel is sanctioned by the US, EU, and UK due to the war in Ukraine.
- Cuba has faced a lack of oil imports for three months, leading to severe energy shortages, rationing of gasoline, and widespread blackouts.
- The US has blocked Venezuelan oil shipments to Cuba and threatened sanctions on third countries supplying Cuba, including Mexico halting exports.
- The Anatoly Kolodkin was last tracked just off the eastern tip of Cuba (per both sources).
- Cuba’s President Miguel Díaz-Canel has acknowledged the energy crisis and reliance on limited oil reserves.
- The oil shipment could supply Cuba’s daily diesel demand for 9–10 days (per ABC’s estimate of 180,000 barrels).
Points of Difference
Details reported by only one source:
- Trump explicitly stated ‘I have no problem whether it’s Russia or not’ when asked about the tanker’s arrival, using the phrase ‘they need…they have to survive’ to justify the shipment.
- Trump previously said he would ‘have the honour of taking Cuba’ and claimed Cuba is a ‘very weakened nation’ with potential for US intervention.
- The Anatoly Kolodkin is described as carrying ‘about 730,000 barrels of oil’ (ABC) and enough to supply Cuba for 9–10 days (180,000 barrels of diesel).
- Cuban state media reported the tanker’s expected arrival, though Cuban officials did not immediately comment.
- Trump dismissed the idea that the shipment helps Russia, saying ‘He loses one boatload of oil, that’s all it is.’
- The vessel is described as a ‘sanctioned Russian oil tanker’ with no mention of a Hong Kong flag or rerouting to Venezuela.
- The tanker departed from Primorsk with ‘650,000 barrels of Urals crude’ and is tracked by MarineTraffic and LSEG.
- The US temporarily lifted sanctions on Russia to improve oil flow after Israeli strikes on Iran, though this is not directly linked to the Cuba shipment.
- The New York Times reported the shipment was confirmed by a ‘US official briefed on the matter,’ with no direct Trump quote.
- Another Russian vessel, the Hong Kong-flagged Sea Horse, was previously bound for Cuba with 200,000 barrels but was rerouted to Venezuela.
- The US military’s capture of Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro on January 3 removed a key Cuban ally providing oil to Havana.
Contradictions
Conflicting information between sources:
- ABC states the tanker carries 730,000 barrels, while the Guardian reports 650,000 barrels.
- ABC claims the shipment could supply Cuba’s diesel demand for 9–10 days (180,000 barrels), but the Guardian does not specify the exact volume of diesel or duration.
- ABC attributes direct quotes to Trump about the shipment’s justification and Russia’s loss, while the Guardian only cites the New York Times’ report without Trump’s exact words.
- The Guardian mentions the US temporarily lifted sanctions on Russia to improve oil flow post-Israeli strikes on Iran, which ABC does not reference.
- ABC describes the vessel as Russian-flagged only, while the Guardian notes it was previously Hong Kong-flagged (Sea Horse) and another vessel was rerouted.
Source Articles
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