Ship Believed To Be Carrying Russian Fuel Reportedly On Its Way To Cuba, Challenging U.S. Blockade

A ship potentially carrying Russian fuel is on its way to Cuba, potentially challenging the blockade imposed to the U.S. on the island, according to a new report.

Bloomberg detailed that the Sea Horse is expected to arrive to the beleaguered Caribbean island in early March. The vessel received ship-to-ship transfer off the coast of Cyprus and is believed to be carrying some 200,000 barrels of gasoil, according to maritime intelligence firm Kpler.

Moscow has been perhaps the most vocal critic of Washington’s policy, with Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov urging the country this week to “show common sense” and “abandon its plans for a naval blockade.”

State-run news agency TASS reported that the remarks took place in the context of a meeting between Lavrov and Cuban counterpart Bruno Rodriguez Parrilla. There Lavrov said Washington’s actions are “unacceptable” and reiterated that Moscow will “continue to constantly support Cuba in the protection of its sovereignty and security.”

Rodriguez Parrilla, on his end, said the U.S.’s actions pose a threat to the sovereignty “of all countries” and that “Cuba will continue to move forward with the protection of its independence and sovereignty, stay course and seek for effective solutions for its economy.”

Cuba didn’t receive any oil for the first time in a decade in January, Bloomberg noted. Vortexa Ltd senior oil analyst Rohit Rathod told the outlet that the country received a substantial amount of oil in December and should be enough for over a month. “I would give it until late-March before they run out of fuels,” Rathod said.

In the meantime Secretary of State Marco Rubio has been reportedly holding secret talks with the grandson of Raul Castro about “the future” of the country.

Axios detailed that the talks with 41-year-old Raul Guillermo Rodriguez Castro are bypassing official channels and show that the Trump administration believes his grandfather is the decision-maker in the country.

Rodriguez Castro is also seen as someone who represents a more business-oriented part of the regime who believe communism has failed and believe a rapprochement with the U.S. could be valuable, the outlet added.

“I wouldn’t call these ‘negotiations’ as much as ‘discussions’ about the future,” an official told the outlet. “The U.S. government’s position — is the regime has to go,” the official added. However, “what exactly that looks like is up to (President Donald Trump) and and he has yet to decide, and Rubio is still in talks with the grandson.”

Originally published on Latin Times