Tanker Reroutes: Fuel Supply to Cuba Under Strain

A tanker carrying 300,000 barrels of fuel, initially headed for Cuba, has changed its route. Loaded in Russia, the diversion adds to Cuba's fuel crisis, already affected by U.S. sanctions halting Venezuelan oil exports. Cuba's energy struggles have intensified since the last oil import in March.

A tanker carrying 300,000 barrels of fuel, initially destined for Cuba, has veered off its intended course, according to LSEG vessel monitoring data released on Wednesday.

The vessel, named Universal, was loaded with fuel at a Russian port. This development comes as Cuba grapples with severe power shortages and dire fuel requirements, exacerbated by a gap of almost two months since its last oil import arrived from a Russian-flagged tanker in late March.

The fuel crisis is deepened by the United States, having cut off Venezuelan oil exports to Cuba following the ousting of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro. Former U.S. President Donald Trump further intensified the situation by threatening tariffs on any nations supplying crude to Cuba.