A tanker that has been transporting Venezuelan fuel to Cuba since April of last year completed loading a shipment of 150,000 barrels of gasoline this week.
According to a transportation schedule accessed by Reuters, this move suggests that Venezuela might be gearing up to send new fuel supplies to the island under U.S. oversight.
As of Thursday, it remained uncertain whether the vessel had departed from Venezuelan waters.
The tanker was last seen on Monday in Venezuelan waters, as reported by tracking service TankerTrackers.com. However, Reuters noted that it could not verify the tanker's final destination.
Due to the presence of U.S. military forces in the Caribbean, any tanker leaving Venezuelan waters requires U.S. approval.
This information comes at a time when Cuba is facing a severe energy crisis, compelling the regime to take what it considers extreme measures to keep the country operational.
On Thursday, leader Miguel Díaz-Canel addressed the situation of the electrical system and fuel supply from Havana, amidst growing lines at gas and diesel stations across the nation.
Díaz-Canel stated that Cuba would not cease receiving fuels, despite the measures imposed by Donald Trump.
Regarding the relationship between the governments of Cuba and Venezuela, he remarked, "Many try to view it as a dependency between two countries, reducing it to a mere exchange of goods and services. But that's not the reality."
Insights on Cuba-Venezuela Fuel Relations
Why is the tanker shipment significant for Cuba?
The tanker shipment is crucial for Cuba as it faces a severe energy crisis, and the imported fuel helps alleviate shortages affecting the country.
What challenges does the tanker face in leaving Venezuela?
The tanker faces the challenge of requiring U.S. approval due to the presence of American military forces in the Caribbean, making its departure from Venezuelan waters contingent on U.S. oversight.
How has the U.S. involvement affected Cuba's fuel imports?
U.S. involvement, particularly the measures imposed by Donald Trump, has complicated Cuba's fuel imports, but Cuba remains determined to continue receiving supplies despite these challenges.