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Moscow's support for Havana is not only enduring but intensifying amid one of the most challenging moments for the island in years. The Kremlin made it clear this Tuesday that its relationship with Cuba will not falter, despite the escalating tensions with Washington and the deterioration of the energy situation within the country.
“The dialogue between Russia and Cuba is ongoing and will continue,” affirmed presidential spokesperson Dmitri Peskov, as quoted by Russia Today (RT), in a statement that reinforces Moscow's political and strategic commitment to supporting the Cuban government amid the crisis.
His words come just a day after the official stated that Russia considers it “their duty” to help the island and “not stay on the sidelines”, referring to the shipment of oil that has just arrived at the port of Matanzas.
That shipment —about 100,000 tons of crude oil— marks the first supply in three months, following the suspension of shipments from Venezuela and Mexico amid pressures from the United States. The island had not received any oil since January 9, a situation that has exacerbated blackouts and the deterioration of basic services.
According to Peskov, the support responds to the urgent needs of the population. Moscow insists that the country is facing a "severe blockade" and that fuel is essential to sustain electricity, hospitals, and other vital services, according to RT.
However, beyond the humanitarian discourse, the movement takes place in a delicate geopolitical landscape. The Kremlin itself acknowledged that the shipment was discussed in advance with Washington, which suggests that the flow of oil to Cuba is not beyond the control of the White House.
The administration of President Donald Trump, which declared a "national emergency" in January due to the alleged threat posed by Cuba, has intensified economic pressure through sanctions and warnings to countries that supply fuel to the island. Nevertheless, it has kept the door open for specific shipments.
In this context, Russian support becomes a limited lifeline. Experts warn that the volume received barely suffices to cover one or two weeks of consumption in a country that needs about 100,000 barrels daily to sustain its electrical system.
For millions of Cubans, this translates into a daily reality marked by prolonged blackouts, shortages, and an increasing uncertainty about the immediate future.
Moscow's gesture, therefore, not only temporarily alleviates the crisis but also reveals an increasingly evident dependency: Cuba's energy survival is now tied to decisions made outside the island, amidst global tensions where every move carries political weight.
While Russia reaffirms its support and the United States maintains the pressure, the Cuban population remains at the center of a geopolitical game that directly affects their daily lives.
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