On Tuesday, Cuba's state-run TV channel, Canal Caribe, portrayed the arrival of the Russian oil tanker Anatoly Kolodkin at the Matanzas supertanker base as a triumph over the U.S. embargo, conveniently leaving out that the shipment had been pre-negotiated and approved by Washington.
The vessel docked yesterday, bringing in 100,000 tons of crude oil, which is equivalent to 730,000 barrels. This marks the first substantial oil delivery to Cuba in over three months.
Live from the industrial zone of Matanzas, journalist Bernardo Espinosa reported alongside Irenealdo Pérez Cardoso, the deputy director of the Union Cuba Petroleo (CUPET). Pérez Cardoso described the docking process as "a success without any setbacks, despite the weather conditions."
However, the official coverage neglected to mention that Russia had previously discussed the shipment with the United States, which authorized the tanker’s entry on humanitarian grounds, particularly to mitigate the energy crisis impacting hospitals and essential services.
Furthermore, the U.S. administration also permitted the supply of fuel for generators distributed across the island as part of a specific humanitarian concession.
Pérez Cardoso noted that the crude will be used to produce liquefied petroleum gas for hospitals and educational centers, as well as gasoline, diesel, and fuel oil for power plants like MOA, Mariel, and the floating power barges in Havana.
Nonetheless, the shipment only covers about seven to ten days of the nation’s total consumption, highlighting the severity of the crisis.
Understanding the Impact of Russian Oil on Cuba's Energy Crisis
Why did the U.S. authorize the Russian oil tanker's entry into Cuba?
The United States authorized the entry of the Russian oil tanker for humanitarian reasons, aiming to ease the energy crisis affecting essential services like hospitals in Cuba.
How will the crude oil from the Russian tanker be used in Cuba?
The crude oil will be utilized to produce liquefied petroleum gas for hospitals and educational facilities, and to generate gasoline, diesel, and fuel oil for key power plants such as MOA and Mariel.
How long will the oil shipment last for Cuba's energy needs?
The shipment is expected to cover approximately seven to ten days of Cuba's total energy consumption, underscoring the ongoing energy crisis.