"The Trump administration's embargo on Cuba-effectively cutting off 75% of the communist-ruled island's crude oil supplies-is quickly pushing the Havana leadership to a point of no return amid escalating fuel shortages and frequent blackouts. Some six weeks after the U.S. violently ousted Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro, and with the U.S. having seized control of that country's oil production, geopolitical and energy analysts said the next "domino" in Cuba is close to toppling under economic pressure unless a diplomatic resolution is reached."
"The evolving situation could include potential conflict with Russia, which is aiming to supply Cuba with oil tanker shipments. While a repeat of the Cuban Missile Crisis 64 years later is highly unlikely, the U.S. could end up seizing Russian tankers, something that has already occurred with ships en route to Venezuela. Such moves would escalate already heightened tensions between the U.S. and Russia, said Skip York, a global energy expert for Rice University's Baker Institute for Public Policy."
The U.S. embargo has cut off about 75% of Cuba's crude oil imports, creating rapidly escalating fuel shortages and frequent blackouts. The U.S. seizure of Venezuelan oil production following the ouster of Nicolás Maduro has compounded Cuba's supply loss. Cuba relies heavily on Venezuelan and Mexican imports and produces only a small amount of domestic oil, with very limited natural gas or renewable energy capacity. Energy shortages threaten transportation, aviation, and an oil-dependent electric grid, increasing pressure on Havana's leadership. Potential Russian tanker shipments to Cuba raise the risk of U.S. interdiction and broader U.S.-Russia tensions.
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