The Cuban ambassador in Moscow, Enrique Orta González, disclosed to the Russian press that the tanker *Anatoli Kolodkin* was the sole vessel carrying crude oil to reach Cuba throughout 2026. Its shipment only managed to lessen power outages for roughly two weeks.
This statement, reported by the Russian state agency PRIME — a branch of the Kremlin-aligned RIA Novosti/Rossiya Segodnya group — serves as an official acknowledgment from the Cuban regime itself, contradicting the narrative of enduring solidarity that Moscow and Havana have been promoting for months.
Only One Ship in Nearly Ten Months
Orta González made these remarks during a press conference at the Cuban embassy in Moscow, organized in the lead-up to the annual United Nations General Assembly vote on the U.S. embargo against Cuba, scheduled for October 28.
"A great relief for our people, as it reduced power cuts for about two weeks," the diplomat remarked on the shipment's impact.
The ambassador emphasized that the Russian-flagged vessel was "the only one" with crude to arrive on the island this year, a stark admission highlighting the severity of Cuba's energy crisis.
The *Anatoli Kolodkin*, operated by the Russian state shipping company Sovcomflot — sanctioned by the United States, European Union, and United Kingdom since 2024 — docked at the Matanzas Super Tanker Base in late March with 100,000 tons of crude (approximately 730,000 barrels), which Moscow presented as "humanitarian aid."
Known Reality Since April
The ambassador's admission comes as no surprise to those closely monitoring the crisis: Miguel Díaz-Canel himself labeled the shipment "symbolic" in April, acknowledging it accounted for merely a third of Cuba's monthly needs.
Energy and Mines Minister Vicente de la O Levy warned on April 22 that the Russian fuel would only last until the end of that month.
On May 3, Díaz-Canel informed international solidarity delegates that the oil would be depleted "in the coming days" and that Cuba had no knowledge of when a new shipment might arrive, following four consecutive months without external fuel deliveries.
The second vessel promised by Russia, the *Universal*, never materialized: it altered its course toward the South Atlantic in May, and its final destination was never confirmed.
Disparity Between Rhetoric and Reality
Geopolitical factors partly explain the oil blockade: in January 2026, Trump signed Executive Order 14380, imposing secondary tariffs on imports from countries supplying oil to Cuba.
Venezuela halted its shipments after Nicolás Maduro was captured by U.S. forces, and Mexico drastically reduced its exports. Pemex accounted for 44% of Cuban imports in 2025.
The only exception was the *Kolodkin*, whose entry was temporarily allowed by Trump as a "humanitarian measure."
Meanwhile, the most recent Russian "solidarity" was limited to the delivery, on October 16, of 750 tons of sunflower oil channeled through the UN's World Food Program, intended for children, the elderly, and pregnant women.
Widespread Blackouts as Ambassador Speaks in Moscow
Orta González's statement comes at an extremely challenging time for ordinary Cubans.
On Tuesday, the Electric Union predicted a mere 830 MW availability against a demand of 2,820 MW, with a maximum estimated impact of 2,020 MW.
Havana circuits experienced up to 20 hours and 20 minutes of blackout in the last 24 hours, and the generation deficit reached a historic high of 2,411 MW on August 5.
This electrical crisis is compounded by a potable water collapse: at the beginning of October, the regime admitted that 2.7 million people — about 35% of those receiving water through networks — faced supply issues, directly linked to outages that halt pumping stations.
Cuba requires eight fuel tankers a month to meet its energy needs. According to its own ambassador, only one has arrived in nearly ten months of 2026.
Understanding Cuba's Energy Crisis
Why has Cuba only received one oil shipment from Russia in 2026?
Geopolitical factors, including U.S. sanctions and a shift in Russian priorities, have limited the number of oil shipments to Cuba. Additionally, the only shipment was presented as humanitarian aid.
What impact did the Anatoli Kolodkin shipment have on Cuba?
The shipment from the Anatoli Kolodkin reduced power outages in Cuba for about two weeks, providing temporary relief but not addressing the long-term energy needs.
How has the energy crisis affected daily life in Cuba?
The energy crisis has led to extended blackouts, impacting daily activities and essential services. It has also contributed to water supply issues, affecting millions of residents.