Le pétrolier russe Anatoly Kolodkin défie les sanctions américaines pour ravitailler Cuba
The Anatoly Kolodkin, a sanctioned Russian tanker carrying 730,000 barrels of crude, is heading for Matanzas port in Cuba, which has had no oil imports since January amid severe energy shortages.
A Russian oil tanker under U.S. sanctions is heading to Cuba to deliver 730,000 barrels of crude oil, according to data from maritime analytics firm Kpler. The Anatoly Kolodkin was located Sunday north of Haiti, en route to the port of Matanzas in western Cuba. The delivery comes as Cuba has had no oil imports since January 9, the date of the last shipment from Mexico before that country halted exports under White House pressure.
Total Energy Isolation Since January
Cuba lost its main regional supplier in January when U.S. forces captured Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, according to AFP. Caracas had been the island's primary fuel supplier for 25 years. Tensions surrounding Venezuelan oil now directly affect Havana's energy stability. Mexico had halted deliveries under White House pressure, leaving Cuba without a regular supply.
The consequences for the population are severe. Cubans endure power cuts lasting more than 20 hours. The country has recorded seven nationwide blackouts since the start of 2024, including two in March. Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel has imposed strict fuel rationing, drastically reduced public transport, and prompted some airlines to suspend flights to the island.
Moscow Steps In, Washington Holds the Line
The Anatoly Kolodkin loaded oil at the Russian port of Primorsk on March 8. It was escorted by a Russian Navy vessel through the English Channel before the two ships separated upon entering the Atlantic Ocean, according to the British Navy. Russian oil maritime transport remains exposed to intense geopolitical pressure around the world. The tanker is subject to U.S. sanctions.
On March 19, the U.S. government clarified that its recent easing of sanctions on Russian oil did not apply to deliveries to Cuba or North Korea. The following day, the Kremlin said it was discussing ways to help Cuba, declining to comment on reports of a secret Russian diesel shipment. Moscow and Havana have maintained close ties since the Soviet era, further strengthened since Russia launched its full-scale offensive against Ukraine in 2022.
A Second Tanker Diverted Toward Venezuela
Meanwhile, the Sea Horse, a Hong Kong-flagged tanker reported to be carrying Russian diesel toward Cuba, ultimately entered Venezuelan waters, according to Kpler data. The diversion highlights the difficulties in routing fuel to the island under the U.S. blockade. Fuel prices in Cuba have surged, public transport has been drastically reduced, and some airlines have suspended flights to the country.
