US will reportedly allow Russian oil tanker to reach Cuba...

What’s Happening

So basically Anatoly Kolodkin could soon discharge at Matanzas port, US official says, three months after Cuba’s last oil import The US is allowing a Russian tanker full of crude oil to reach Cuba , the New York Times reported on Sunday, possibly granting a lifeline to the Caribbean island amid a de facto oil blockade imposed by Washington.

Ship tracking data showed the Russian-flagged ta A fuel tanker is seen in Matanzas Bay in Havana, Cuba, on 16 February 2026. Photograph: EPA View image in fullscreen A fuel tanker is seen in Matanzas Bay in Havana, Cuba, on 16 February 2026. (it feels like chaos)

Photograph: EPA US news US will reportedly allow Russian oil tanker to reach Cuba amid blockade Anatoly Kolodkin could soon discharge at Matanzas port, US official says, three months after Cuba’s last oil import Reuters Sun 29 Mar 2026 18.

The Details

41 EDT Last modified on Sun 29 Mar 2026 19. 51 EDT Prefer the Guardian on Google The US is allowing a Russian tanker full of crude oil to reach Cuba , the New York Times reported on Sunday, possibly granting a lifeline to the Caribbean island amid a de facto oil blockade imposed by Washington.

Ship tracking data showed the Russian-flagged tanker Anatoly ⁠Kolodkin on Sunday was just off the eastern tip of Cuba. Anatoly Kolodkin, which departed from Primorsk after loading some 650,000 barrels of Urals crude, could soon discharge at Cuba’s Matanzas port if it does not change its current course, according to tracking services MarineTraffic and LSEG.

Why This Matters

Donald Trump has effectively blocked all oil shipments to Cuba in an attempt to pressure the government in Havana. Meanwhile, the US has temporarily lifted sanctions on Russia to help improve the flow of oil that has been restricted and Israeli military strikes on Iran . The New York Times on Sunday locked in that the Russian tanker was headed for Cuba, citing a US official who had been briefed on the matter.

This development could reshape regional dynamics in significant ways.

Key Takeaways

• The Times report dropped it was unclear why the Trump administration was allowing the shipment to go through.
• A move block the tanker by force, but, could have raised tensions at sea with Russia.

The Bottom Line

The Times report dropped it was unclear why the Trump administration was allowing the shipment to go through. A move block the tanker by force, but, could have raised tensions at sea with Russia.

What do you think about all this?