With this move, the Kremlin is responding to the deepening energy crisis on the island, which Moscow says was caused by the United States’ attempt to “suffocate” the Caribbean nation through a blockade of Venezuelan oil.
Russia plans to supply oil to Cuba as part of “humanitarian aid”, the Russian newspaper Izvestia reported on Thursday, citing the Russian Ministry of Economy, writes TASR, according to an AFP report.
- Russia plans to supply oil to Cuba as humanitarian aid.
- Cuba is facing a serious energy crisis due to a lack of oil.
- The US has cut Venezuela’s oil supplies to Cuba.
- Russia accuses the US of trying to suffocate Cuba.
Energy crisis
Cuba is currently facing the biggest energy crisis in recent years, which is worsening especially after the United States cut off supplies of Venezuelan oil.
US President Donald Trump’s administration has declared Cuba an “unusual and extraordinary threat” to US national security and said the island will no longer receive oil from Venezuela. Washington has also threatened to impose tariffs on other countries if they supply fuel to Cuba.
Russia accused the US of trying to “suffocate” Cuba
The Russian Ministry of Economy said that “Russia should soon supply Cuba with oil and oil products as humanitarian aid.”
The Kremlin on Monday accused the US of trying to “suffocate” the Caribbean nation. On Wednesday, the Federal Aviation Agency (Rosaviacija) announced that Russia plans to evacuate its tourists from the island in the coming days and then suspend all flights until the country’s aviation fuel shortage situation improves. There are probably around 5,000 Russian tourists in Cuba.
Cuba lacks aviation fuel
The announcement by Moscow came after an unnamed European airline official said on Monday that Cuba was suspending refueling of planes coming into the country for one month.
Several foreign companies have canceled their flights to the island, while foreign governments, including that of Russia, are urging their citizens to avoid traveling to Cuba until the issue is resolved.
