Filenews 21 February 2026
A tanker allegedly carrying Russian fuel is heading for Cuba, in a move that tests the sanctions regime of US President Donald Trump's administration, at a time when the island country is facing an acute energy crisis. The tanker Sea Horse is expected to arrive in early March, carrying fuel for power generation and transportation, according to Bloomberg.
Cargo of 200,000 barrels and trans-shipment off Cyprus
According to data from maritime data company Kpler Ltd., the Sea Horse was transporting the cargo after being trans-shipped from ship to ship off Cyprus. The company's chief oil analyst, Matt Smith, estimates that the ship is carrying almost 200.000 barrels of Russian gasoil, a diesel-type fuel widely used in transport and electricity generation.
Cuba, which does not have significant domestic oil production, is heavily dependent on fuel or crude oil imports to operate its refineries.
Uncertainty about breaking the American blockade
It remains unclear whether the Sea Horse will be able to circumvent the US blockade, under which at least nine ships involved in the transport of oil have already been seized under sanctions.
Russia is facing enhanced international sanctions over the four-year war in Ukraine, while the US and European countries have stepped up moves to seize tankers of the so-called "shadow fleet", which contributes to the movement of sanctioned oil.
Plummeting of available electricity
The presence of US military forces in the Caribbean has significantly limited oil flows to Cuba. Earlier this month, the tanker Ocean Mariner, often used to transport fuel to Cuba, changed course and now declares the Bahamas as its final destination, according to ship traffic data.
The ship, carrying 30.000 barrels of diesel, had loaded at the Colombian port of Barranquilla, according to a shipping report cited by Bloomberg.
The energy situation in Cuba has deteriorated dramatically. Available electrical power has declined since the beginning of the year, while satellite images show that lighting at night has dropped by as much as 50%, capturing the country's difficulty in maintaining a stable power supply.
In January, Cuba received no oil at all for the first time in a decade, a development that exacerbates the pressures on the economy and the daily lives of citizens.
