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 oil to Cuba amid a prolonged US 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 the tanker’s sanctions status and its potential to supply Cuba’s diesel demand for nearly a decade. While Trump stated he had no objection to the delivery, the move contrasts with his broader efforts to pressure Cuba through economic isolation. The Guardian highlights the US’s temporary easing of Russian sanctions and the rerouting of another vessel from Cuba to Venezuela, while ABC emphasizes Trump’s past rhetoric about 'taking' Cuba and the ongoing influence of Raúl Castro. Discrepancies include the exact barrel count and timing of the shipment, as well as differing timelines for the blockade’s impact on Cuba’s infrastructure.
✓ 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 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 a press statement: 'I have no problem whether it's Russia or not' regarding the tanker’s delivery to Cuba (ABC).
- The Anatoly Kolodkin departed from Primorsk (Guardian) and was tracked near Cuba’s eastern tip (both sources).
- Cuba’s President Miguel Díaz-Canel has not received oil imports for three months (Guardian), exacerbating the energy crisis.
Points of Difference
Details reported by only one source:
- Trump said: 'We have a tanker out there. We don't mind having somebody get a boatload because they need... they have to survive' (direct quote).
- Trump previously stated: 'Whether I free it, take it, I think I could do anything I want with it' regarding Cuba (direct quote).
- Cuban state media journalists reported the tanker’s expected arrival in Matanzas by Tuesday local time (ABC).
- Raúl Castro still wields significant political influence in Cuba despite Díaz-Canel being president (ABC).
- Activists from Mexico unloaded solar panels and humanitarian aid at Havana Bay port (ABC).
- The vessel’s name is Anatoly Kolodkin, and it is a Russian-flagged tanker (ABC).
- Trump dismissed the idea that the shipment helps Putin: 'He loses one boatload of oil, that's all it is' (direct quote).
- The blockade has crippled hospitals and slashed public transport in Cuba (ABC).
- The Anatoly Kolodkin was just off the eastern tip of Cuba and slated to arrive in Matanzas by Tuesday (ABC).
- The US has cut off key oil shipments from Venezuela to Cuba, forcing reliance on natural gas, solar power, and reserves (ABC).
- The US temporarily lifted sanctions on Russia to improve oil flow restricted by US/Israeli strikes on Iran (Guardian).
- Another Russian-origin vessel, the Sea Horse (Hong Kong-flagged), was rerouted from Cuba to Venezuela with 200,000 barrels of fuel (Guardian).
- The New York Times reported the tanker’s delivery was confirmed by a US official briefed on the matter (Guardian).
- The US blocked Venezuelan oil shipments to Cuba and threatened tariffs on third countries supplying Cuba, leading Mexico to halt exports (Guardian).
- The US military captured Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro on January 3, 2024, removing a key Cuban ally providing oil (Guardian).
- The Anatoly Kolodkin departed Primorsk after loading Urals crude (Guardian).
- The 650,000 barrels of crude would provide 'significant relief' to Cuba’s energy crisis (Guardian).
- The US de facto oil blockade on Cuba is part of an attempt to pressure Havana (Guardian).
Contradictions
Conflicting information between sources:
- ABC states the tanker carries 730,000 barrels, while the Guardian reports 650,000 barrels.
- ABC mentions the tanker’s arrival in Matanzas by Tuesday local time, but the Guardian does not specify a timeline for arrival.
- ABC claims the US has cut off Venezuelan oil shipments to Cuba since recent weeks, while the Guardian links it to the US military capture of Maduro on January 3, 2024.
- ABC states the blockade has crippled hospitals and public transport for years, while the Guardian focuses on the crisis worsening over the past three months.
- The Guardian mentions the US temporarily lifted sanctions on Russia to improve oil flow, a detail not present in ABC.
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