Cubans ready for Russian oil but some say not enoughThe Russian tanker is due to arrive in Matanzas on TuesdayMATANZAS (CUBA) - Cubans on Monday cautiously welcomed the imminent arrival of a Russian oil shipment, with some warning it would do little to ease an energy crisis after US President Donald Trump granted a reprieve from his oil blockade. - 'Cuba's finished' -Trump said Sunday he had "no problem" with Russia or another country sending oil because Cubans "have to survive" but he predicted that it would have little impact. Trump subsequently threatened to impose tariffs on any country sending oil to Cuba and has mused about "taking" the island of 9.6 million people. The oil would likely not be used for Cuba's aging thermoelectric power plants, which rely on the country's own crude production. Retiree Orlando Ocana, 76, said the Russian shipment was a "Band-Aid."

Source: Bangkok Post March 31, 2026 03:38 UTC