Russian tanker maintains course to the Caribbean, but stops targeting Cuba

The Russian tanker Anatoly Kolodkin, which had generated expectations in recent days amid the acute energy crisis in Cuba, is still making its way to the Caribbean, but it is no longer heading directly for the island.

Recent maritime tracking data, such as from VesselFinder and Marine Traffic, indicates that the vessel, loaded with hundreds of thousands of barrels of Russian crude oil, is maintaining its course at about 10-11 knots, although its trajectory has shifted towards Central America, moving away from a direct route to Matanzas, as was initially planned.

The twist introduces a new level of uncertainty at a critical moment for Cubans, who are facing blackouts of over 30 hours, fuel shortages, and an electrical system at its breaking point. For days, the potential arrival of the tanker was seen as an immediate relief for the crisis, but now that scenario is once again in question.

The Anatoly Kolodkin, sanctioned by the United States, the European Union, and the United Kingdom, had been closely monitored not only by analysts, but also by U.S. authorities. There were even reports of U.S. Coast Guard vessels in the region, as part of the efforts to prevent the shipment of Russian oil to Cuba.

The change in direction also occurs in parallel with military movements in the area. The American destroyer USS Nitze was detected near the Bahamas and is also heading towards Central Caribbean, on a trajectory that coincides with that of the tanker, increasing the tension surrounding what could happen in the coming days.

This is not the first sign of a setback. A few days ago, another vessel carrying Russian fuel, the Sea Horse ended up diverting to Trinidad and Tobago due to the new restrictions imposed by Washington, leaving Cuba without this supply at a crucial moment.

Meanwhile, on the island, the situation shows no signs of relief. With no stable fuel shipments since January and the suspension of supplies from Mexico, the reliance on uncertain operations like this has become increasingly evident.