Russia will maintain its oil supply commitments to Cuba, Russian Ambassador to Cuba Viktor Coronelli confirmed in a recent interview, reinforcing bilateral ties amid escalating U.S. pressure. "We assume that this practice will continue," Coronelli stated, referencing Moscow's repeated energy assistance to Havana in recent years.
The announcement comes days after former U.S. President Donald Trump declared Cuba "an unusual and extraordinary threat" to U.S. national security, threatening tariffs on nations exporting oil to the island. Trump also claimed the U.S. had initiated talks with "the highest people in Cuba," though details remain undisclosed.
Washington's efforts to block oil shipments to Cuba—including from Venezuela—have exacerbated fuel shortages, spiked food and transportation costs, and triggered prolonged blackouts, even in Havana. Analysts suggest Russia's continued support could mitigate Cuba's energy crisis while deepening Moscow's geopolitical influence in the region.
This development underscores shifting alliances in Latin America, with global investors monitoring how sustained sanctions might reshape trade dynamics and regional stability.
