Russia Reaffirms Oil Supply Commitments to Cuba Despite New US Tariff Threats

On February 5, 2026, Viktor Koronelli, the Russian Ambassador to Cuba, officially reaffirmed Moscow's steadfast commitment to maintaining energy supplies to the island nation. This high-level diplomatic assurance was issued in direct response to escalating pressure from Washington, which recently culminated in the signing of Executive Order 14380. Enacted by President Donald Trump on January 29, 2026, this order declares a national emergency in the United States, citing an "exceptional threat" originating from Cuba. The directive specifically outlines a new mechanism for imposing punitive import tariffs on any country that continues to provide oil shipments to the Cuban government.

The latest measures from the United States are part of a broader regional strategy following the January 2026 operation that led to the removal of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro. This political shift resulted in a critical disruption of Cuba's primary energy source. According to industry analysts, Mexico had already stepped in to become the island's main supplier of "black gold" by the end of 2025, providing 44% of total imports, or approximately 12,300 barrels per day (bpd). In contrast, Venezuelan exports to the island have dwindled to 34%, roughly 9,500 bpd. Previous contributions from Russia and Algeria have also been characterized by irregularity, with the last significant Russian shipment documented in October 2025.

Currently, the Cuban economy is enduring a severe systemic crisis, evidenced by acute fuel shortages and recurring nationwide blackouts. The stakes are particularly high because petroleum products account for 83% of the nation's total electricity generation. Data provided by the analytical firm Kpler suggests that the situation is precarious; with import levels dropping to just 3,000 bpd since the beginning of 2026, the island's current reserves of 460,000 barrels are projected to last only 15 to 20 days at current consumption rates.

Ambassador Koronelli’s statement regarding the continuation of shipments signals Moscow's direct opposition to the American tariff regime, which seeks to sever the island's energy lifelines. Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodríguez Parrilla has strongly condemned the actions of the United States, labeling them an attempt at a "total blockade" and a form of international blackmail that violates established norms of free trade. Analysts have pointed out that this latest emergency declaration by President Trump represents the 22nd such action taken during his time in office, reflecting a consistent reliance on executive pressure tactics.

Russia's guarantee of energy support serves as a strategic counterbalance to external efforts aimed at destabilizing the political and economic environment of the "Island of Freedom." This stance echoes the sentiments of Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, who has previously denounced the disruption of energy supplies as an impermissible form of economic pressure. Moscow views these actions as a direct threat to the humanitarian welfare of the Cuban people and an obstruction of sovereign trade relations between allied nations.