In a statement issued on February 12, the Russian diplomatic agency affirmed that the oil shipment will soon be transported to Cuba. This move takes place in parallel with a recommendation from the Russian Ministry of Economic Development, requesting tourists from this country to temporarily not come to Cuba due to the "fuel emergency" that is covering the island nation.
To protect the safety of citizens, Russia is actively coordinating with Aeroflot airline and local aviation authorities. Aeroflot has committed to establishing special flights from Varadero and Havana to Moscow to support Russian tourists to return home quickly in the context of transportation activities in Cuba being disrupted.
Cuba's serious energy decline directly stems from recent geopolitical upheavals, especially after the US military arrested Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro in early January. Previously, Venezuela was a strategic oil supplier partner, considered the backbone of the island nation's economy.
The situation became even more tense when on January 29, the US administration signed a decree allowing Washington to impose tariffs on goods of countries participating in supplying oil to Cuba. This document also declared a state of emergency, describing Cuba's relations as a threat to regional security.
Reacting to the above measures, Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez Parrilla strongly criticized and said that this is a US effort to establish a comprehensive energy blockade. According to him, these sanctions violate all international trade principles and are pushing the Cuban people into harsh living conditions.
Russia's sending of aid oil at this time is not only of humanitarian significance but also demonstrates a strong political commitment to its allies in Latin America. Along with China and Mexico, Russia is striving to prevent an economic collapse in Cuba, while creating a clear counterweight to the tightening policies from the US.
This timely intervention is expected to help Cuba maintain essential public services and reduce the burden on the national power system. The aid and sanctions race in Cuba once again turns this island nation into the focus of conflicts of interest between the world's leading powers.
