Aletho News

Russian fuel tanker to test US sanctions amid Cuba crisis

Al Mayadeen | February 21, 2026

A tanker believed to be carrying Russian fuels is heading toward Cuba, putting US sanctions on Cuba to the test as President Donald Trump intensifies pressure on the island amid a worsening energy crisis.

The vessel Sea Horse is expected to arrive in early March carrying urgently needed fuel supplies, according to Bloomberg, which cited maritime intelligence firm Kpler Ltd.

Cuba is facing acute shortages of fuels essential for cooking, transportation, and power generation, and authorities are struggling to maintain electricity supply. Available power output has declined sharply since the start of the year, with satellite imagery indicating that nighttime light levels across the island have fallen by as much as 50%.

The Sea Horse loaded its cargo through a ship-to-ship transfer off the coast of Cyprus. Kpler’s lead oil analyst Matt Smith estimates the tanker is transporting nearly 200,000 barrels of Russian gasoil, according to Bloomberg.

Gasoil, a diesel-type fuel widely used in transportation and electricity generation, has become particularly critical as both sectors operate under mounting strain in Cuba’s deepening energy crisis.

Whether the vessel will ultimately be able to complete its delivery remains uncertain. US enforcement measures have already resulted in the seizure of at least nine ships accused of participating in the transport of oil unilaterally sanctioned by Washington, underscoring the risks surrounding the current shipment.

US sanctions on Cuba intensify under Trump administration

Pressure on Havana has been mounting since late last year, when US forces seized a ship carrying Venezuelan crude bound for Cuba. After the subsequent abduction of Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro, the Trump administration applied further pressure on Caracas to halt shipments to Cuba.

Trump threatened tariffs on any nation that supplies Cuba with fuel. In January, the White House formalized the measure through an executive action authorizing steep tariffs on countries that export oil to Cuba. The move effectively pressured third states to scale back deliveries or risk penalties in their trade with the United States.

As a result, Mexico, previously a steady supplier, cut off shipments.

Cuba, which does not produce significant quantities of oil, depends heavily on imported crude and refined fuels to run its refineries and sustain electricity generation. In January, the island did not receive any oil for the first time in a decade.

US military presence in the Caribbean disrupts shipment

The US’ military presence in the Caribbean has choked off much of Cuba’s oil supply.

Earlier this month, the tanker Ocean Mariner, frequently used to ship fuels to Cuba, diverted and is now signaling the Bahamas as its final destination, according to vessel tracking data. The ship was carrying 30,000 barrels of diesel loaded at the Colombian port of Barranquilla, according to a shipping report.

The tightening supply situation has intensified fuel scarcity across Cuba, contributing to rolling blackouts, transportation slowdowns, and mounting strain on municipal infrastructure. Garbage collection and water pumping systems in Havana have reportedly been affected, while energy shortages have weighed on tourism and small business activity.

February 21, 2026 - Posted by aletho | Solidarity and Activism, War Crimes | Cuba, Russia, United States