Russia on Monday, the 9th, accused the United States of applying “asphyxiating measures” against Cuba, a traditional ally of Moscow, in the middle of an energy crisis on the Caribbean island, aggravated by American sanctions.
“The situation in Cuba is really critical,” said the Kremlin spokesperson, Dmitri Peskov, during his daily press briefing.
“The asphyxiating measures imposed by the United States are causing many difficulties to the country. We are studying possible solutions with our Cuban friends, at least to provide the assistance we can,” he added.
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Cuba faces a gravely energy crisis after the end of oil supplies from Venezuela, following the fall of dictator Nicolás Maduro, and amid Washington’s threats to impose tariffs on countries that sell oil to the island.
The Cuban authorities informed airlines operating in the country that the kerosene supply would be suspended for one month starting this Monday at midnight, due to the energy crisis, said to AFP on Sunday, the 8th, by an executive of a European company.
According to this source, the measure will require carriers operating long-haul routes to perform a “technical stop” on the return flights to guarantee their kerosene supply.
The Cuban government announced on Friday, the 6th, a package of emergency measures, including a four-day workweek and telework in state-owned enterprises, as well as restrictions on fuel sales to address the energy crisis.
Also announced were reductions in inter-provincial bus and train services and the closure of some tourist establishments.
After cutting off supplies from Venezuela following the capture of dictator Maduro on January 3, Donald Trump signed last week an executive order indicating that the United States could impose tariffs on countries selling oil to Havana.
Moreover, Trump asserted that Mexico, which has supplied oil to Cuba since 2023, will stop doing so.
To justify its policy, Washington cites the “exceptional threat” posed by Cuba, located just 150 km from the Florida coast. Havana says that Trump intends to “suffocate” the island. Source: Associated Press.
