In a surprising exception to its ongoing oil blockade, the United States has permitted the Russian oil tanker "Anatoly Kolodkin" to dock at the Cuban port of Matanzas. The move comes after direct authorization from US President Donald Trump, who cited humanitarian reasons for allowing the delivery to the crisis-stricken island.
"If a country wants to send some oil to Cuba right now, then I have no problem whether it's Russia or not," Trump stated, noting that a single cargo of oil would not drastically alter the geopolitical situation. Emphasizing the basic needs of the Cuban population, he added, "I prefer to let it in because the people need heating and cooling and everything else."
Beyond humanitarian concerns, strategic calculations appear to have influenced the decision. According to a report by The New York Times citing a US government official, the US Coast Guard allowed the vessel to pass primarily to prevent military tensions with Moscow. Intercepting the ship by force could have risked a direct conflict with Russia. The "Anatoly Kolodkin," which departed from the Russian port of Primorsk, was initially escorted through the English Channel by the Russian Navy on its way to the Caribbean.
The communist-led island nation has been grappling with a deep economic crisis for years, which has been dramatically worsened by a US oil embargo imposed three months ago. Cuba's energy security suffered a critical blow in early January when it lost its primary oil supplier, Venezuela, following a US-forced power transition and the arrest of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro.
The impact on Cuba's imports has been staggering. According to figures reported by the Financial Times, Cuba has received a mere 84,900 barrels of crude oil this year from a single Mexican delivery on January 9. In stark contrast, the country imported an average of 37,000 barrels per day in 2025, largely from Mexico and Venezuela. This massive shortfall has crippled power generation and fuel distribution, leading to widespread blackouts and severe disruptions to the healthcare system and broader economy. In March, residents in Havana were seen queuing for drinking water during extensive power outages.
Despite the temporary relief provided by the Russian tanker, Washington's broader stance on Cuba remains aggressive. President Trump has recently hinted at a potential move against the neighboring socialist state. Speaking at the White House, Trump remarked that he believes he will have "the honor" to "take over" or "liberate" Cuba "in some form," although he did not provide further concrete details.
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