Cubans study oil tanker diplomacy for signs of progress in secret talks with US

Russia is sending a second oil shipment to Cuba, according to Russian Energy Minister Sergei Tsivilev, following a delivery of 700,000 barrels of crude oil earlier this week. The shipments are intended to alleviate Cuba's energy crisis, which has been exacerbated by a U.S. blockade. Tsivilev stated that Russia will not abandon Cuba during this time of hardship. The first delivery, which arrived in Matanzas, was the first significant oil shipment to Cuba in three months. The U.S. granted a waiver for the initial delivery for humanitarian reasons, deciding on such matters case-by-case. Cuba has been experiencing blackouts, fuel rationing, and food shortages since the U.S. threatened tariffs on countries supplying oil to the island.

FBI agents have arrived in Cuba to conduct an independent investigation into a deadly shootout that occurred on February 25th between Cuban border patrol and a Florida-tagged speedboat. The incident involved 10 Cuban nationals attempting to enter Cuba armed with a large cache of weapons and ammunition. Five individuals were killed, and the remaining five were wounded and taken into custody. The US embassy stated the FBI's investigation aims to independently verify the facts of the event, following pressure from Cuban officials and amidst heightened tensions between the two countries since January. Cuba claims the attackers were Cuban exiles from the US intending to destabilize the country. The US government has denied any involvement.

A Russian tanker, the Anatoly Kolodkin, arrived in Cuba's Bay of Matanzas on Tuesday, delivering 730,000 barrels of oil after a three-month absence of oil shipments to the island. The US, despite its energy blockade and sanctions on the vessel, permitted the delivery for humanitarian reasons. The shipment is expected to alleviate Cuba's critical energy shortage, which has caused widespread blackouts and strained essential services. Cuba has been facing a severe economic crisis, exacerbated by the lack of fuel, leading to shortages of food and medicine. The Russian fuel delivery offers temporary relief to the communist-run government amid increasing pressure from the US administration.

The US government stated its Cuba policy remains consistent despite allowing a sanctioned Russian tanker to deliver fuel to the island nation in March 2026. The White House clarified that the fuel delivery was permitted on humanitarian grounds due to Cuba's ongoing fuel shortages. US officials emphasized that decisions regarding sanctioned vessels will be made individually. The US also reiterated that vessels violating US sanctions remain subject to potential seizure. Cuba is currently experiencing fuel shortages due to what it describes as a US blockade.

The US is reportedly allowing a Russian oil tanker, the Anatoly Kolodkin, to deliver crude oil to Cuba, potentially providing a crucial supply amid a US-imposed blockade. The New York Times reported the US Coast Guard is permitting the shipment, though the reason is unclear. The tanker's location was tracked off the eastern tip of Cuba on Sunday. This decision comes after another vessel, the Sea Horse, carrying fuel for Cuba, was diverted to Venezuela. The Trump administration has been actively blocking oil shipments to Cuba to pressure its government.

The U.S. government is allowing a Russian oil tanker, the Anatoly Kolodkin, to deliver approximately 730,000 barrels of crude oil to Cuba, despite previous efforts to restrict oil shipments to the island. President Trump stated that Cuba "has to survive" and expressed no objection to countries sending oil to the island. The tanker, which departed from Primorsk, Russia, is expected to dock at the Matanzas port in Cuba, providing relief to the island which has been facing fuel shortages and an energy crisis. This decision comes after the U.S. blocked Venezuelan oil shipments to Cuba and pressured other countries to halt exports, following the U.S. capture of then-Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro. The U.S. government has temporarily eased some sanctions on Russian oil shipments to help stabilize global energy markets.

A Russian oil tanker, the Anatoly Kolodkin, reached Cuba carrying 100,000 tonnes of crude oil, the first shipment since January. This follows a statement by U.S. President Donald Trump indicating he had "no problem" with countries like Russia sending supplies to Cuba, seemingly loosening a de facto oil blockade imposed by his administration. Cuba has been experiencing severe fuel shortages and blackouts, exacerbated by the U.S. seizing Venezuelan oil shipments, a key supplier to the island. The Russian shipment is described as a "humanitarian" effort to alleviate Cuba's difficult situation due to sanctions pressure. The oil is expected to provide a short-term lifeline for the Communist-run island, where hospitals have struggled to maintain emergency services due to the fuel crisis.

In an exclusive interview with Al Jazeera, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio denied that US actions are punitive towards Cuba, instead blaming the Cuban government's economic system for the island's fuel crisis and humanitarian situation. Rubio stated that the US has not taken punitive measures against Cuba, but rather that Cuba is no longer receiving subsidized oil from Venezuela following US pressure after the military abduction of Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro in January 2026. He did not mention Trump's executive order threatening sanctions against countries providing oil to Cuba, nor the decades-long trade embargo. While Trump appeared to loosen the US position on fuel shipments to Cuba, he also hinted at potential military action against the country. Rubio dismissed claims that blackouts on the island are related to US pressure.

President Trump stated he has "no problem" with a Russian oil tanker delivering relief to Cuba, despite the existing U.S. oil blockade. The tanker, Anatoly Kolodkin, which is sanctioned by the U.S., EU, and UK, is carrying approximately 730,000 barrels of oil. Tracking data indicated the tanker was off the coast of Cuba on Sunday and expected to arrive in Matanzas by Tuesday. Trump's administration has aggressively targeted Cuba with sanctions, aiming to force regime change, resulting in devastating effects on Cuban civilians. Trump indicated that if a country wants to send oil to Cuba, he has no problem with it, regardless of whether it's Russia or not.

A Russian tanker, the Anatoly Kolodkin, carrying approximately 650,000-730,000 barrels of Russian crude oil, entered Cuba's exclusive economic zone on Sunday, potentially marking Cuba's first oil import in over two months. The tanker departed from Primorsk, Russia, and is headed to Matanzas port in Cuba. The shipment comes despite the US blockade intended to pressure the Cuban government by restricting oil shipments. While the US has sanctioned the tanker, it is reportedly allowing this shipment to proceed, although the reason for this decision is unclear. Cuba has faced severe fuel shortages, leading to rationing and power outages, with President Miguel Díaz-Canel reporting no oil imports for three months.

Cuba is awaiting the arrival of a Russian oil tanker carrying thousands of barrels of oil, expected to alleviate the island's ongoing fuel crisis. The delivery comes after nearly three months of a US blockade that has significantly impacted Cuba's access to resources. The sanctioned Russian tanker is intended to provide much-needed fuel to residents in Havana and across the country. The anticipated arrival, reported on March 30, 2026, offers hope for easing the current fuel shortages. Al Jazeera is reporting from Havana on the situation.