The United States did not obstruct the passage of a Russian oil tanker bound for Cuba, despite earlier statements about tightening pressure on the island.
The Coast Guard allowed the Anatoly Kolodkin to proceed while carrying about 730,000 barrels of oil. According to the Associated Press, the tanker could enter the port of Matanzas by March 31. U.S. patrol boats were operating near the Cuban coast, but no order was given to intercept the vessel.
Donald Trump had previously warned of possible punitive tariffs against countries that continue supplying oil to Cuba. Now his rhetoric has shifted: “If some country wants to send a certain amount of oil to Cuba right now—we don’t mind… they need to survive.”
Experts estimate that a shipment of that size could supply Cuba with fuel for at least several weeks.