US allows Russian oil tanker to deliver fuel to Cuba amid US blockade
Consensus Summary
The US under Donald Trump has allowed a sanctioned Russian oil tanker, the Anatoly Kolodkin, to deliver approximately 650,000–730,000 barrels of crude oil to Cuba amid a prolonged US-led oil blockade. The shipment, tracked near Cuba’s eastern coast, aims to alleviate severe fuel shortages causing widespread blackouts and rationing on the island. Both sources confirm Cuba’s energy crisis stems from blocked Venezuelan oil and US pressure on third-party suppliers, with President Díaz-Canel reporting no imports for three months. Trump’s administration has taken a pragmatic stance, framing the delivery as humanitarian relief despite the vessel’s sanctions. While ABC emphasizes Trump’s direct statements about Cuba’s weakness and his past rhetoric on regime change, the Guardian focuses on the geopolitical implications, including US sanctions relief for Russia. Discrepancies include barrel counts (650K vs. 730K) and the omission of specific Trump quotes or Castro’s influence in one source.
✓ 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) bound for Cuba’s Matanzas port.
- The vessel is sanctioned by the US, EU, and UK due to the war in Ukraine.
- Cuba has faced a US oil blockade, leading to severe shortages of gasoline and electricity, with blackouts and rationing reported since at least three months (Guardian) or years (ABC).
- The oil shipment could supply Cuba’s daily diesel demand for 9–10 days, producing about 180,000 barrels of diesel (ABC).
- Donald Trump stated in April 2024 that he has 'no problem' with the Russian tanker delivering oil to Cuba, emphasizing humanitarian relief over geopolitical implications.
- The Anatoly Kolodkin departed from Primorsk (Russia) and was tracked near Cuba’s eastern coast by MarineTraffic and LSEG (Guardian).
- Cuba’s President Miguel Díaz-Canel has acknowledged no oil imports for three months, worsening the energy crisis (Guardian).
- The US blocked Venezuelan oil shipments to Cuba and pressured Mexico to halt exports, leaving Cuba reliant on Russian or other third-party sources (Guardian/ABC).
Points of Difference
Details reported by only one source:
- Trump explicitly stated in April 2024: 'I told them, if a country wants to send some oil into Cuba right now, I have no problem whether it's Russia or not.'
- Trump previously said he would 'have the honour of taking Cuba' and claimed Cuba is a 'very weakened nation' with potential for US intervention.
- Cuban state media journalists reported the tanker’s expected arrival in Matanzas by Tuesday local time (ABC).
- The vessel’s oil is described as 'Urals crude' in ABC’s context, though not explicitly named in the headline.
- ABC mentions Raúl Castro’s continued political influence in Cuba despite Díaz-Canel’s presidency.
- ABC cites a Reuters report by Alexandre Meneghini and AP photos by Ramon Espinosa.
- ABC details the rerouting of a second Russian vessel (Sea Horse) to Venezuela instead of Cuba, carrying 200,000 barrels of fuel.
- The Guardian cites a US official briefed on the matter confirming the Russian tanker’s destination to the New York Times.
- The Guardian specifies the tanker departed Primorsk and loaded 'Urals crude' (650,000 barrels), while ABC rounds to 730,000 barrels.
- The Guardian notes the US temporarily lifted sanctions on Russia to improve oil flow, citing Israeli military strikes on Iran.
- The Guardian mentions the US military’s January 2024 capture of Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro as a factor in Cuba’s oil crisis.
- The Guardian does not quote Trump directly about the tanker’s humanitarian intent, focusing instead on US sanctions and geopolitical context.
Contradictions
Conflicting information between sources:
- ABC reports the tanker carries 730,000 barrels of oil, while the Guardian states it carries 650,000 barrels of Urals crude.
- ABC claims the oil shipment could supply Cuba for 9–10 days (180,000 barrels of diesel), but the Guardian does not specify diesel quantities or duration.
- ABC explicitly states Trump said 'I have no problem whether it's Russia or not' in April 2024, while the Guardian does not reference this exact quote or date.
- The Guardian mentions the US temporarily lifted sanctions on Russia to improve oil flow, a detail not present in ABC’s coverage.
- ABC highlights Raúl Castro’s continued influence in Cuba, a point omitted entirely by the Guardian.
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....