Media: A batch of Russian oil is set to arrive in Cuba, met with cautious welcome by locals

On Monday, Cubans reacted cautiously to the approaching Russian oil tanker. Some pointed out that this shipment is insufficient to address the energy crisis currently faced by the country. Since the beginning of this year, Cuba has been under a de facto oil blockade imposed by the United States.

According to AFP, a Russian oil tanker named "Anatoly Kolodkin," carrying 730,000 barrels of crude oil, is expected to arrive in Cuba on Tuesday morning. This will be the first oil supply to Cuba since January 9.

This oil delivery was permitted by U.S. President Trump. Trump's decision to allow Russia to transport oil to Cuba—despite the U.S. de facto oil embargo—avoids direct confrontation with Moscow while offering some relief to Cuba, which has a population of 9.6 million.

AFP also reported that Cubans showed cautious reactions on Monday to the incoming Russian oil tanker. While some Cubans said “This is great,” others believed the oil supply falls far short and cannot truly resolve Cuba’s ongoing energy crisis. Since the start of this year, Cuba has endured a de facto oil blockade enforced by the United States. One Cuban told AFP that the arrival of this Russian tanker “is merely a symbolic gesture that won’t make a real difference in the daily lives of ordinary Cubans.”

For years, Cuba has been mired in crisis. In January this year, the interruption of oil supplies from Venezuela—after Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro was detained by the U.S.—worsened the situation. At the same time, the U.S. threatened sanctions against any country delivering oil to Havana. Under this pressure, Mexico was forced to halt oil shipments to Cuba.

The U.S. "Greenlight"

On Monday, the Kremlin welcomed the arrival of the oil tanker in Cuba. Russian presidential press secretary Dmitry Peskov stated: “Russia considers it our responsibility not to stand idly by at this moment but to provide necessary assistance to our Cuban friends.” He also noted that this matter had previously been discussed with Washington.

On Sunday, Donald Trump said, “If any country is willing to send oil to Cuba right now, I have absolutely no problem with it,” adding that Cubans “must survive.”

Trump further remarked, “Cuba is already finished… its leadership is terrible and corrupt, and whether or not they receive this oil won’t change anything.”

White House spokesperson Karoline Leavitt said on Monday during a press briefing that there has been “no formal change” in the U.S. policy of sanctions against Cuba.

Over recent months, Trump has repeatedly threatened Havana, even mentioning the idea of “taking over Cuba,” though he has not specified what this entails.

Source: rfi

Original: toutiao.com/article/1861145998212232/

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