Trump Says Russian Oil Shipment to Cuba Acceptable Despite Sanctions

BY MIRABEL ODETA

President Donald Trump said on March 29 that he does not object to a Russian oil tanker delivering fuel to Cuba, even as U.S. sanctions target countries that supply oil to the island.

Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One, Trump indicated that humanitarian needs should take priority in this case. He acknowledged the presence of a tanker en route and said the United States would not interfere with the shipment, emphasizing that Cuba requires fuel to sustain basic functions. According to his remarks, he had already communicated that any country willing to send oil to Cuba at this time would not face objections from him, regardless of whether the supplier is Russia or another nation.

Data from the maritime tracking platform MarineTraffic shows that a Russian-flagged tanker carrying approximately 730,000 barrels of oil is currently headed toward the Port of Matanzas, with an expected arrival date of March 31. The shipment comes as Cuba continues to struggle with significant fuel shortages that have affected transportation, electricity generation, and daily life across the country.

Earlier this year, Trump signed an executive order imposing tariffs on countries that directly or indirectly provide oil to Cuba. The policy was intended to increase economic pressure on the Cuban government but has also contributed to worsening energy shortages on the island. In the order, Trump accused the Cuban leadership of maintaining ties with what he described as hostile actors, including Russia, China, and Iran, as well as groups designated by the United States as terrorist organizations, such as Hamas and Hezbollah.