Russia reportedly wants to send oil and fuel to Cuba

The supplies are to arrive as humanitarian aid at a time when the island is facing a serious fuel shortage. Russia is preparing this move in the near future, according to the Russian daily Izvestia, citing the Russian embassy in Havana.

Cuba has been in a fuel crisis since the United States restricted its oil supplies. Havana has already warned international airlines that jet fuel will not be available on the island, signaling a rapidly deteriorating situation.

The country has long relied mainly on Venezuela, but since mid-December it has not received any crude or refined oil after the US blocked exports from the South American country.

Moscow has described the fuel situation in Cuba as critical and accused the US of trying to "strangle" the Cuban economy. At the same time, it expressed solidarity with Cuba and Venezuela and promised to respond to any attempts at military intervention. Russia last supplied Cuba with oil in February 2025, when it sent approximately 100,000 tons of crude oil.

(reuters, est)