Trump Lets Russian Oil Reach Cuba, Ending De Facto Blockade

A Russian oil tanker carrying 100,000 tonnes of crude arrived in Cuba.

Trump said he had no problem with Russia or anyone else sending oil to Cuba.

Australian Broadcasting Corporation

The Kremlin said the shipment had been discussed with the U.S. in advance.

Trump told reporters he had no plans to stop the oil from reaching Cuba.

We don’t mind having somebody get a boatload because they need... they have to survive.

BBC

The delivery was seen as a lifeline to a nation facing its deepest energy crisis since the collapse of the Soviet Union.

Cuba's 10 million citizens have been repeatedly plunged into darkness.

The World Health Organization warned that hospitals were struggling to maintain emergency services.

Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel said the island hadn't received fuel shipments for nearly four months.

The Kremlin framed the shipment as a humanitarian delivery.

Cuban authorities confirmed the arrival of the tanker at Matanzas.

CNBC

The delivery was expected to temporarily stabilize Cuba's worsening energy crisis.