On March 20, 2026, the U.S. Treasury Department announced that Cuba is prohibited from receiving Russian crude oil, issuing a warning as two tankers carrying Russian oil and gas are reportedly en route to Havana [1]. The Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) published a general license adding Cuba to a list of countries blocked from transactions involving Russian crude or petroleum products [1]. This action follows a temporary authorization last week that allowed the purchase of Russian oil stranded at sea, intended to stabilize energy markets during the ongoing U.S. and Israeli-led war on Iran. The temporary measure suspended sanctions imposed on Moscow after its invasion of Ukraine [1].
Maritime intelligence firms are tracking two tankers: the Sea Horse, flagged in Hong Kong, estimated to carry 190,000 barrels of Russian gasoil, and the Russian-flagged Anatoly Kolodkin, believed to be transporting 730,000 barrels of crude oil [1]. The Sea Horse has reportedly engaged in deceptive shipping practices, including AIS "spoofing" during oil transfer and lacks Western insurance, suggesting possible sanctions circumvention [1]. The Anatoly Kolodkin is sanctioned and its cargo details are provided by maritime analytics firm Kpler, though CNBC is awaiting further confirmation [1].
Cuba is facing its most severe fuel crisis since the collapse of the Soviet Union, exacerbated by the U.S. oil blockade and ongoing blackouts [1]. The island had relied heavily on Venezuelan oil, but supply was cut off after the U.S. launched a military operation to depose Venezuela’s President Nicolás Maduro in early January [1]. U.S. President Donald Trump has threatened tariffs on any country supplying oil to Cuba and described Cuba’s government as "an unusual and extraordinary threat," suggesting the U.S. could further escalate actions against Havana [1].
Russia, a longstanding ally of Cuba, has sharply criticized the Trump administration’s fuel blockade and pledged to provide "necessary support, including financial aid" to Cuba [1]. The Kremlin has dismissed U.S. tariff threats, noting minimal current trade between Washington and Moscow [1].
CONCLUSION
The U.S. has intensified its blockade on Cuba by prohibiting Russian oil deliveries, deepening the island's fuel crisis and prompting defiant responses from Russia. With two tankers carrying Russian oil headed to Cuba and threats of further U.S. tariffs, the situation signals heightened geopolitical tensions and significant market disruption for Cuba’s energy sector.