Russia Vows Continued Support for Cuba Amid US Pressure
Russia has declared its continued support for Cuba as the island faces growing pressure from the United States. The Russian Foreign Ministry stressed solidarity with Havana and said Moscow would continue providing humanitarian aid, while criticizing Washington’s actions as “blackmail and threats”.
Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova described US policy as “aggressive pressure” and reaffirmed Russia’s long-standing solidarity with the Cuban government.
The situation escalated after the United States halted Venezuelan oil shipments to Cuba following the detention of President Nicolás Maduro in early January. The move caused a severe fuel shortage on the island, which is home to around 11 million people.
Tensions have also risen after US President Donald Trump said he expected to have the honor of “taking Cuba”, while Washington continued calling for Havana to open up its economy and allow greater political freedoms.
At the same time, the Trump administration threatened sanctions against countries supplying Cuba with oil. Despite that, Washington later allowed one shipment of Russian oil on humanitarian grounds. Reuters reported that a Russian tanker recently delivered around 700,000 barrels of crude oil to Cuba under that exception.