Sanctioned Russian oil tanker nears Cuba

Havana: A Russian oil tanker under U.S. sanctions is set to arrive in Cuba on Monday, challenging Washington's de facto fuel blockade of the energy-starved island, according to shipping data.

The Anatoly Kolodkin, carrying about 730,000 barrels of crude, was north of Haiti on Sunday en route to the port of Matanzas, maritime analytics firm Kpler said.

Cuba lost a key oil supplier in January after U.S. forces captured Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro, tightening pressure on the island's energy supplies.


U.S. President Donald Trump has since warned of tariffs on countries supplying oil to Cuba and has floated the idea of "taking" the communist-run nation.

Jorge Pinon, an energy expert at the University of Texas, said it was unlikely the US would intercept the tanker at this stage.

"Once the vessel enters Cuban waters, it becomes almost impossible for the U.S. to stop it," he said.

Cuba says it has not received oil imports since January, deepening a crisis in the country of 9.6 million people.

President Miguel Diaz-Canel has imposed strict fuel rationing, while soaring prices, reduced transport and airline disruptions have added to economic strain.

The island has suffered repeated blackouts as ageing power plants struggle to meet demand.

Missing Aid Boats Reach Cuba

Two sailboats carrying humanitarian aid from southern Mexico reached Havana on Saturday after going missing for days due to bad weather, Mexico's navy said. The vessels, with at least eight people on board, departed Isla Mujeres on March 20 and lost contact before being spotted about 80 nautical miles from Havana. Convoy coordinator Adnaan Stumo said rough seas forced a longer route but the crew was "never in any serious danger." He thanked the Mexican navy for escorting one boat into Havana Bay as aid deliveries began.