A tanker transporting diesel fuel, likely destined for Cuba, has redirected its route to Puerto Cabello, a significant Venezuelan port, after the US made it clear that the island remains banned from receiving Russian fuel
The vessel named “Sea Horse,” which was initially carrying an estimated 200,000 barrels of Russian gasoil, had previously marked Trinidad and Tobago as its new destination and, based on vessel monitoring data from Bloomberg, was en route there as of Friday. Last month, the tanker unexpectedly halted its journey in the North Atlantic amid a practical US blockade on fuel supplies to the island.
On Thursday, the US Treasury added Cuba to a list of nations that are barred from receiving Russian fuel. This updated general license came just a week after the US relaxed sanctions on Russian oil to alleviate the energy strain resulting from the military action initiated against Iran nearly three weeks prior, in coordination with their ally Israel.
Shipping records show that another tanker, the “Anatoly Kolodkin,” is currently sailing across the Atlantic towards Matanzas in Cuba. This vessel will serve as another examination of American deterrence.
On Friday, when a representative from the Kremlin was asked about the potential delivery of Russian oil to Cuba, he refrained from providing specific details on fuel logistics. However, according to Russian media, Dmitry Peskov, the press secretary for the Russian leader, informed journalists that Moscow is in “constant communication with Cuban leadership” and is looking into ways to offer aid to Havana regarding its challenges.
Cuba’s president admitted last week that the island has gone without oil for three months amid increasing economic pressure from US President Donald Trump, who aims to eliminate 67 years of single-party governance.
Earlier in January, the US cut off oil supplies to Havana by taking control of the country’s leadership in Caracas. Trump subsequently warned of imposing tariffs on any nation that provided energy support to Cuba, which led Mexico to halt its shipments as well.
The condition on the island has been precarious following many years of stringent US sanctions. However, with Trump now blocking both fuel and financial support, Cuba’s economy is in a severe decline, and its energy infrastructure is experiencing an acute crisis. This week, the nation faced a widespread power outage, marking at least the sixth occurrence in the past year.