Russian oil tanker docks in Cuba ending near-total blockade
A Russian oil tanker has docked in Cuba, providing temporary relief after months of shortages.
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Russian oil tanker docks in Cuba ending near-total blockade 22 minutes ago Share Save Add as preferred on Google Will Grant BBC's Mexico, Central America and Cuba correspondent A Russian-owned tanker carrying an estimated 730,000 barrels of crude oil has docked on the northern coast of Cuba, ending a near-total fuel blockade by the US on the communist-run island. The tanker's arrival marks the first crude oil shipment to dock in one of Cuba's ports since early January. It follows an apparent softening in Washington's oil blockade, after President Trump said last weekend that he had "no problem" with countries sending fuel to Cuba. The country has been hit by a series of nationwide blackouts, and most hospitals have been unable to operate normally, with severe rationing in place. National blackout hits Cuba for second time in a week Expectant mothers in Cuba struggle under fuel blockade The Anatoly Kolodkin oil tanker arrived in the port of Matanzas, east of Havana, on Tuesday. President Trump said on Sunday that he did not object to other nations sending oil to the island because Cubans "have to survive". Cuba was cut off from oil supplies in January after US forces captured its main regional ally, Venezuela's socialist leader Nicolás Maduro - and Trump threatened to impose tariffs on countries that sent oil to the island. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said on Monday: "We allowed this ship to reach Cuba in order to provide humanitarian needs to the Cuban people. These decisions are being made on a case-by-case basis." However, Washington said there has been no change in policy and the oil blockade remains in place. While the crude oil is now in Cuba, it still needs to be refined at an ageing refinery in Havana – a process which could take longer than a week. The island has been feeling the effects of the blockade with most hospitals unable to function normally and schools and government offices being forced to close. Cuba's main economic motor of tour...
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