Russia is preparing to send a second tanker carrying crude oil to Cuba, according to Russia’s Interfax news agency, citing Energy Minister Sergei Tsivilev on Thursday. The minister said the cargo is currently being loaded before departure.
The planned shipment follows the arrival earlier this week of a Russian-flagged tanker at Cuba’s Matanzas oil terminal. The vessel delivered about 700,000 barrels of crude oil, marking the island’s first major oil delivery in roughly three months.
Cuba has faced significant fuel shortages in recent months, affecting electricity generation and transportation across the country.
The delivery comes despite a fuel blockade imposed by the administration of U.S. President Donald Trump on Cuba.
However, Washington granted a temporary waiver allowing this week’s shipment to proceed for humanitarian reasons.
U.S. officials said such exemptions would be considered on a case-by-case basis.
Russia has been one of Cuba’s key energy partners, helping supply fuel to the Caribbean nation as it struggles with limited access to international energy markets.