US allows Russian oil tanker to deliver crude to Cuba amid blockade
Consensus Summary
The US has allowed a Russian oil tanker, the Anatoly Kolodkin, to deliver approximately 650,000–730,000 barrels of crude oil to Cuba’s Matanzas port amid a prolonged US-led oil blockade. The shipment marks a rare exception to Washington’s efforts to cut off Havana’s energy supplies, which have worsened Cuba’s three-month fuel shortage and triggered widespread blackouts. Both sources confirm the tanker’s route and sanctions status, but differ on specifics like the exact oil volume and the US administration’s stated rationale. While the Guardian highlights the broader context of Venezuela’s oil cutoff and Mexico’s compliance with US pressure, ABC emphasizes President Trump’s direct approval and his framing of the shipment as humanitarian relief. Experts estimate the oil could sustain Cuba for roughly a week, though the blockade’s long-term impact persists, forcing the island to rely on alternative energy sources like solar and natural gas.
✓ 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 ship was last tracked just off the eastern tip of Cuba (MarineTraffic and LSEG tracking data).
- Cuba has faced a de facto US oil blockade, with no oil imports for three months, leading to gasoline rationing and energy crises including island-wide blackouts.
- The US temporarily lifted sanctions on Russia to ease oil restrictions caused by US/Israeli strikes on Iran.
- Cuba’s energy crisis has been exacerbated by the US blocking Venezuelan oil shipments to Havana, including after the US military detained Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro on January 3.
- The Anatoly Kolodkin is sanctioned by the US, EU, and UK due to Russia’s war in Ukraine.
Points of Difference
Details reported by only one source:
- The New York Times reported the US allowed the tanker based on a US official briefing, but did not disclose the reason for the approval.
- A second Russian vessel, the Hong Kong-flagged Sea Horse, was rerouted from Cuba to Venezuela with 200,000 barrels of fuel.
- Mexico halted oil exports to Cuba after US threats of punitive tariffs.
- Cuba’s President Miguel Díaz-Canel stated the island had no oil imports for three months, worsening rationing and power outages.
- President Trump explicitly stated ‘I have no problem whether it’s Russia or not’ about allowing the oil shipment to Cuba.
- The oil on the tanker could supply Cuba for nine or ten days, producing about 180,000 barrels of diesel (per experts).
- Trump dismissed the shipment as not benefiting Russia, calling it ‘one boatload of oil’ and emphasizing Cuban civilians’ needs for heat/cooling.
- Raúl Castro still wields significant political influence in Cuba despite Díaz-Canel being president.
- Cuba is relying on natural gas, solar power, and oil reserves due to the blockade, leading to intermittent blackouts.
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 did not disclose the reason for allowing the shipment, but ABC directly quotes Trump saying he has ‘no problem’ with it.
- The Guardian notes the Sea Horse was rerouted to Venezuela, but ABC does not mention this vessel.
- The Guardian attributes the three-month oil import gap to President Díaz-Canel’s statement, while ABC does not specify the source for this claim.
- ABC claims the oil could supply Cuba for nine or ten days (180,000 barrels of diesel), but the Guardian does not provide this specific duration or volume breakdown.
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