US allows Russian oil tanker to reach Cuba – NYT

Olha Hlushchenko - 30 March, 03:14

Blackout in Cuba. Photo: Getty Images

The US Coast Guard has allowed a Russian tanker carrying crude oil to reach Cuba.

Source: The New York Times, citing informed sources

Details: The report, citing an American official familiar with the situation, said that the US Coast Guard had permitted the Russian vessel loaded with crude oil to continue to Cuba.

The NYT added that these actions were taken to supply the island nation with much-needed energy after several months of a de facto oil blockade by US President Donald Trump's administration.

MarineTraffic, an online ship-tracking service, reported that the Russian-owned tanker carrying around 730,000 barrels of oil had been a few miles from Cuban territorial waters on Sunday evening.

Quote from the NYT: "At its speed of 12 knots, it could reach its expected destination of Matanzas, Cuba, by Monday night."

Details: Analysts said that the arrival of the Russian vessel is likely to change the course of the unfolding crisis in Cuba, giving the island at least a few weeks before its fuel reserves run out.

Quote from the NYT: "It would also reduce pressure on a Cuban government facing a looming economic collapse and escalating threats from Washington, and show that, at least for now, the island can still depend on its longtime ally Russia."

Details: The US Coast Guard has two cutters in the area that could have attempted to intercept the tanker.

However, according to the NYT, the Trump administration did not order them to act, effectively allowing the tanker to reach Cuba.

The report noted that it remains unclear why the White House had not blocked the tanker, or whether it will permit Russian oil shipments to Cuba in the future.

Previously: Cuba experienced widespread blackouts last week amid the US embargo.

Background:

Trump said Cuba is on the brink of collapse, claiming the US could act freely in relation to the island.
The US increased pressure on Cuba in January when it launched an operation targeting Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, triggering the most severe economic crisis on the island since the fall of the Soviet Union.
Before Maduro's ousting, Cuba had relied heavily on Venezuela for fuel imports. In March, Trump said the US was "talking to Cuba" and believed intervention in Venezuela would put additional pressure on the island.
Previously, Trump stated that the US needed to deal with Iran before taking further action on Cuba.

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