Russia Readies Oil Shipment to Cuba as Humanitarian Aid Amid Heightened U.S. Blockade

Original article: Rusia alista envío de petróleo a Cuba como ayuda humanitaria en pleno endurecimiento del bloqueo de EE.UU.

Russian Diplomats Announce Upcoming Oil Shipment to Cuba as Humanitarian Aid Amid Strengthening of Longstanding U.S. Blockade

Russia has confirmed plans to send oil and petroleum products to Cuba under the guise of «humanitarian aid.» This initiative, disclosed by Russian diplomats in Havana to the newspaper Izvestia, comes in the wake of intensified economic, commercial, and financial sanctions imposed by the United States on the island for over sixty years.

This action represents a crucial energy lifeline for the Caribbean nation, which is currently facing a crisis due to limited access to fuels in the international market, leading to prolonged blackouts and disrupting the daily lives of millions.

Additionally, on January 29, U.S. President Donald Trump issued an order declaring a national emergency based on an alleged «Cuban threat» to U.S. national security and authorized the imposition of tariffs on imports from countries that supply oil to the island.

This decision by the Republican leader serves as a new pressure tactic against the Caribbean nation.

The timing of Moscow’s decision is critical as the island grapples with intense pressure. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov confirmed that the Russian government is exploring ways to assist Cuba, which he referred to as a «friend country» currently under U.S. blockade.

«We are in contact with our Cuban friends. Cuba is unfortunately far from us, making access difficult, but we will discuss potential avenues for assistance with the Cubans,» he stated in an interview with TASS.

Peskov emphasized that, in Moscow’s view, the U.S. blockade «strangles» Cuba and its people. «The issue there is not fuel. The issue is the U.S. blockade. I don’t think it’s right for one country to strangle another and its people,» he remarked to the cited media outlet.

He also noted, «When there is no fuel to deliver medicines, when there is no fuel to urgently transport patients by air, that’s very detrimental,» underscoring the rationale behind Russia’s decision to send hydrocarbons to Cuba at a time when the island is facing widespread blackouts and nearly complete halts in commercial aviation.

Moscow’s announcement adds to a series of international gestures of support for Cuba from countries such as China.

In recent statements, the spokesperson for the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Lin Jian, reaffirmed Beijing’s strong opposition to «inhumane actions that deprive the Cuban people of their right to livelihood and development.»

«I want to reiterate that China firmly supports Cuba in safeguarding national sovereignty and security and in opposing external interference,» he stated.

Díaz-Canel: «Trump Aims to Squeeze the Cuban Economy»

The Cuban government’s response to Trump’s offensive has been one of outright condemnation. President Miguel Díaz-Canel swiftly reacted to the executive order designating Cuba as an «unusual and extraordinary threat» to U.S. security.

Through his account on social media platform X, the Cuban leader denounced that «under false and empty pretenses, pushed by those who profit from the suffering of our people, President Trump seeks to crush the Cuban economy by imposing tariffs on countries that trade oil with Cuba sovereignly.»

The Cuban president asserted that the new measure «evidences the fascist, criminal, and genocidal nature of a clique that has hijacked the interests of the American people for purely personal gain.»

Supporting this stance, Cuba’s Foreign Minister Bruno Rodríguez formally declared an «international emergency.»

In a message disseminated on X and also shared on the Foreign Ministry’s website, Rodríguez described Trump’s government as an «unusual and extraordinary threat» that, according to him, «totally or substantially stems from neofascist, anti-Cuban right-wing forces.»

He warned that Washington’s aggressions not only affect the island but also compromise national security and foreign policy for all countries, peace around the world, and «the survival of humanity against nuclear and climate threats.» Under that premise, he indicated that Cuba «declares an international emergency regarding this threat.»