Meiren Dao allows passage, Russian oil tanker arrives at port, 730,000 barrels of crude oil temporarily alleviates the Cuba crisis

(Agence France-Presse Matanzas, Cuba, 31st) After the United States eased its oil blockade on Cuba, a Russian oil tanker docked today at the port of Matanzas, Cuba, delivering the first batch of crude oil to the crisis-stricken island nation since January of this year.

The tanker, named "Anatoly Kolodkin," which is under U.S. sanctions, set sail from Russia and arrived after a three-week journey, entering the port of Matanzas, east of the Cuban capital Havana, this morning, carrying 730,000 barrels of crude oil.

U.S. President Trump decided to allow Russia to deliver crude oil, avoiding confrontation with Moscow and providing temporary relief to a country that has been experiencing blackouts, fuel rationing, and reduced public transportation.

Yoanna Rivero, a 49-year-old pharmacy worker, told AFP, "It's really good for the country to receive oil because we are facing a crisis and we really need it."

Felipe Serrano, a 76-year-old security guard waiting for the Russian tanker, said, "This is crucial for our survival because the country has come to a standstill."

However, analysts point out that this batch of crude oil can only provide Cuba with a temporary respite.

Ricardo Torres, an economist at American University, said, "This can provide temporary relief, but it is far from solving the serious shortages the country is currently facing."

Irenaldo Perez, vice president of the Cuban National Oil Company (CUPET), told state media that this batch of Russian crude oil will be refined into gasoline, diesel, and fuel for electricity generation.

Analysts believe that refining and distribution may take about three weeks.

The Cuban Ministry of Foreign Affairs posted on social media platform X, thanking Russia for its support, stating, "This valuable assistance comes at a time when the United States is imposing an energy blockade and trying to suffocate the Cuban people."

Trump, who has previously indicated consideration of "taking over" Cuba, stated that he does not oppose Russia or other countries delivering oil to Cuba, as the Cuban people "must survive."

The White House denied any change in U.S. sanctions policy. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said, "We allowed this ship to go to Cuba to meet the humanitarian needs of the Cuban people. Such decisions are made on a case-by-case basis."

The Kremlin stated that the delivery of this crude oil had been discussed in advance with Washington.

After the U.S. overthrew Venezuelan socialist leader Nicolas Maduro in January, Cuba's oil supply was cut off, and Trump threatened to impose tariffs on countries delivering crude oil to Cuba.

Under Trump's warning that "Cuba will be next," Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel confirmed in March that officials from both sides had held talks.

Ricardo Herrero, executive director of the nonpartisan policy organization Cuba Study Group, pointed out that the goal of restricting oil supplies is to force Cuba "to make substantial concessions at the negotiating table; this strategy is meant to push the regime to a breaking point, but not to trigger a full-scale social or humanitarian collapse... all of this aligns with the idea that the U.S. holds all the cards "And will decide when to hold firm, when to back down, and when to go all out."

Airello stated that this batch of crude oil is merely "another donation" provided by Cuba's ally Russia, but he doubts whether Moscow is willing to provide long-term assistance to the Cuban economy.

He said, "This will not help the economic recovery; it is just humanitarian aid." (Translation: Xu Ruicheng)