THE ASSOCIATED PRESS I AP 360

Cuba Fuel Crisis / Russian Oil Tanker
Havana, Moscow, Washington | March 30, 2026 - onwards

President Donald Trump on Sunday night said he has “no problem” with a Russian oil tanker off the coast of Cuba delivering relief to the island, which has been brought to its knees by a U.S. oil blockade.

“We have a tanker out there. We don’t mind having somebody get a boatload because they need… they have to survive,” Trump told reporters as he flew back to Washington.

When asked if a New York Times report that the tanker would be allowed to reach Cuba was true, Trump said: “I told them, if a country wants to send some oil into Cuba right now, I have no problem whether it’s Russia or not.”

Tracking data shows the oil tanker carrying approximately 730,000 barrels of oil, was just off the eastern tip of the island on Sunday night and slated to arrive in the city of Matanzas by Tuesday. Experts say the anticipated shipment could produce about 180,000 barrels of diesel -- enough to feed Cuba’s daily demand for nine or 10 days.

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