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USA31 March, 20261 min read

Trump Lets Russian Oil Into Cuba, Softens Embargo After Weeks of Blockade

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A sanctioned Russian oil tanker docks in Cuba after U.S. allows passage despite blockade. Trump says he has no problem with Russian oil shipment to Cuba.

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Trump Lets Russian Oil Into Cuba, Softens Embargo After Weeks of Blockade
Image: 조선일보

Trump Reverses Course on Cuban Oil

Trump abruptly reversed his Cuba oil blockade, allowing a Russian tanker to dock. The White House said shipments would be evaluated on a case-by-case basis for humanitarian reasons. Trump had spent weeks threatening to take over Cuba and saying NO MORE OIL OR MONEY.

Analysts framed the move as exposing contradictions within Trump's approach. Kaveh Ehsani said the sanctions had pauperized the population and were a pretext for aggression.

Image from ABC News
Image: ABC News
Reporting for this sectionThe New York TimesMS NOWFraternité

Cuba Goes Dark As Blockade Chokes Energy

The oil blockade plunged Cuba into an energy crisis and multiple islandwide blackouts. Al Jazeera reported Cuba was facing one of its worst crises in decades. The Council on Foreign Relations noted sharp price increases and prolonged power outages.

An 89-year-old Cuban described the situation as a war and a nation under siege. The humanitarian consequences were evident as the blockade inflicted suffering to coerce political submission.

Image from ABC News
Image: ABC News
Reporting for this sectionAl JazeeraCouncil on Foreign Relationsاقتصادنیوز

Humanitarian Trade-Off or Political Calculus

The decision to let the Russian tanker through reflected a muddled trade-off. Trump's exceptions effectively negated the entire purpose of the campaign. The decision avoided a thorny confrontation with Russia just off the coast of Florida.

The blockade caused widespread suffering before any political change. The purpose was to force the Cuban government into submission.

Reporting for this sectionMS NOWCenter for Economic and Policy Research