Moscow: Russia has announced that it will continue supplying oil to Cuba, reaffirming its support for the Caribbean nation at a time when its energy security is increasingly strained and U.S. pressure to cut off fuel supplies intensifies, Russian Ambassador Viktor Coronelli said on Thursday.
In an interview with the Russian state news agency RIA Novosti, Coronelli stressed that Moscow has repeatedly delivered crude and petroleum products to Cuba in recent years and expects this pattern of support to persist. The commitment comes as Havana confronts severe fuel shortages that have disrupted daily life, worsened electricity outages, and strained transportation and food distribution systems.
Russia’s pledge arrives against the backdrop of mounting U.S. efforts to curb Cuba’s access to energy. President Donald Trump has publicly branded Cuba an “unusual and extraordinary threat” to American national security and moved to block all oil shipments to the island, including those from traditional suppliers such as Venezuela. Washington has threatened tariffs on any country that continues to export oil to Havana, escalating diplomatic and economic pressure.
The U.S. embassy in Cuba has warned American citizens residing on the island that they should prepare for “significant disruption” from prolonged power outages and fuel shortages, as blackouts and scarcity of basic services become daily challenges for many Cubans.
Cuba’s dependence on imported oil has left its energy sector vulnerable. Experts say the island could exhaust its oil reserves within weeks if current consumption patterns continue and new imports do not arrive. A recent analysis indicated that Cuba may only have enough crude and fuel to last between 15 and 20 days under current conditions, as deliveries from Venezuela and Mexico have dwindled or been interrupted.
Mexico’s state-owned oil company Pemex supplied nearly $496 million worth of crude and petroleum products to Cuba in 2025 under a contract that remains in place. Despite U.S. threats of punitive tariffs, Mexico maintains that the contract is a legitimate commercial agreement, although recent shipments were temporarily paused due to supply fluctuation, not political pressure, according to Mexican officials.
Meanwhile, Venezuela once Cuba’s primary energy partner has drastically reduced its exports in recent months, leaving a significant gap in Cuba’s fuel imports. This reduction, combined with tighter U.S. sanctions and logistical constraints, has contributed to deepening shortages and heightened risk for electricity generation and mobility across the island.
Russia’s decision to maintain its energy ties with Cuba highlights enduring geopolitical alignments and underscores Moscow’s willingness to stand with Havana in the face of U.S. pressure. It also reflects broader global tensions, where energy exports intersect with diplomatic strategy and regional influence.
Analysts warn that prolonged fuel scarcity could lead to broader humanitarian challenges. Prolonged blackouts threaten essential services, including water treatment, healthcare, and food preservation, while higher transportation costs ripple across the economy. Cuba’s leadership has repeatedly defended its resilience, even as shortages fuel frustration and occasional protests among the populace.
As the crisis unfolds, Cuba’s future energy stability remains uncertain, with global powers, regional partners, and domestic realities all playing critical roles in shaping the island’s stability and economic trajectory. Russia’s continued supply commitment may provide temporary relief, but long-term solutions will likely require broader diplomatic engagement and a recalibration of international relations.