Cuba Receives First Russian Oil Shipment After A Year-long Blackout

According to Cuban state-run media, the recent delivery of 90,000 metric tons of Russian oil in Cuba marks a significant development in the island nation’s continuous fight against power outages and gasoline shortages.

According to energy infrastructure expert Jorge Piñón, this $46 million delivery intends to improve the country’s poor energy situation, which uses roughly 6.5 million metric tons of fuel annually.

Cuba has been struggling with shortages of food, medicine, and other necessities due to a worsening crisis that has resulted in a 10% decline in GDP since 2019.

The first oil supply from Russia in a year has arrived, providing a brief respite in the face of increasing unrest that has been called the greatest since the revolution of 1959.

Russia has historically supplied oil to Cuba; this relationship began during the Soviet era and continued on an irregular basis following the collapse of the Soviet Union.

However, the dependability of these supplies has frequently been impacted by geopolitical factors and logistical difficulties.

Despite the two governments agreeing to supply 1.64 million metric tons per year, actual deliveries have fluctuated, leaving Cuba dependent on alternative sources such as Venezuela, whose exports have dropped in recent years.

The Cuban government blames the sanctions imposed by the United States since the revolution for its problems, which include food shortages and power outages.

Despite requests from regional partners to reduce sanctions, the political situation remains challenging, particularly during US election cycles when discussions of regime change in Havana dominate.

Cuba’s current economic situation is similar to the “special period” that followed the Soviet Union’s demise.

The country’s economy is collapsing, hunger is widespread, and inflation is skyrocketing. The UN is requesting unprecedented amounts of foreign aid, including powdered milk.

Even with the recent Russian oil cargo providing some respite, problems remain. The Cuban government is pressured to manage demands amid persistent economic problems, exacerbated by decreasing backing from traditional allies like Venezuela.

Despite efforts to diversify alliances, such as overtures from Brazil and the UAE, geopolitical tensions and international sanctions continue to impact Cuba’s economy significantly.

Finally, the arrival of Russian oil highlights the complicated chain of political, economic, and social forces influencing Cuba’s current situation, which has consequences for the country’s future stability and resilience.

Reference: Reuters

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