Russia continues oil flow to Cuba despite Trump’s pressure.
Russia’s Ambassador to Havana, Viktor Koronelli, announced that Moscow will continue supplying oil to Cuba despite U.S. President Donald Trump’s threats of additional customs tariffs.
Koronelli emphasized that Russia, which has repeatedly supplied oil to Cuba in recent years, has no intention of abandoning this practice. Speaking to RIA Novosti, Koronelli said: “We proceed from the fact that this practice (oil exports to Cuba) will continue.”
The Russian diplomat’s statement came after President Trump signed a decree allowing the imposition of additional customs tariffs on countries directly or indirectly supplying oil to Cuba.
Although the decree did not specify the amount of potential tariffs, Trump declared a state of emergency in the United States, citing a national security threat posed by Cuba.
Washington Tightens Pressure on Cuba with Oil Blockade
President Trump previously claimed that Cuba was “on the verge of collapse” and could “fall at any moment” due to the suspension of Venezuelan oil shipments and related revenues.
According to information reported by Politico based on administration sources, Washington aims to trigger regime change in Cuba by blocking oil imports.
Data from analytics firm Kpler suggests that, given current demand and limited local production, the island could only endure another 15 to 20 days without external fuel assistance.
U.S. Targets Regime Change by 2026
According to information obtained by The Wall Street Journal, the Trump administration has launched an active search for a figure within the Cuban government who could help overthrow the current leadership by the end of 2026.
Washington-based strategists argue that after the suspension of Venezuelan support, Cuba’s economy is “on the verge of collapse” and the government is more vulnerable than ever before.
Reports indicate that U.S. officials have met with Cuban exiles in Miami and Washington for this purpose, though the White House does not yet have a concrete plan for a change of power.
Meanwhile, Russia dispatched an Il-76 heavy military transport aircraft—typically used for military equipment deliveries—to Cuba.
Following the aircraft’s arrival on the island, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov stated that Moscow is ready to continue providing “necessary political and material support” to Havana under pressure from the Trump administration.
