Cuba: Is the End of Communism Near? – US Pressure, Oil & Demands

The U.S. Treasury Department has blocked Cuba from receiving deliveries of Russian crude oil, even as two tankers carrying Russian fuel approach the island nation, according to a statement released Thursday. The move comes amid a deepening economic crisis in Cuba and escalating pressure from the Trump administration to force a change in leadership in Havana.

The Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) added Cuba to a list of countries prohibited from transactions involving the sale, delivery, or offloading of crude or petroleum products originating from Russia. While the U.S. Had temporarily authorized the purchase of Russian oil stranded at sea last week as part of an effort to stabilize energy markets during the conflict with Iran, that authorization does not extend to Cuba, officials clarified.

Cuba is currently facing its most significant challenges since the collapse of the Soviet Union, with widespread blackouts and a severe fuel shortage crippling the economy. President Donald Trump has openly stated his desire to “accept Cuba,” though the precise meaning of that statement remains unclear, according to reports. U.S. Officials are reportedly seeking the removal of President Miguel Díaz-Canel as part of ongoing negotiations that could potentially avert a U.S. Military intervention.

The fuel blockade has drawn sharp criticism from Russia, a long-standing ally of Cuba. Moscow has pledged to continue providing support to the island, including financial aid, and condemned the U.S. Pressure campaign. “Russia condemns the U.S. Pressure of Cuba,” a statement released by the Russian government read, “and will continue backing Cuba, including providing material support.”

The current crisis echoes the “Special Period” of the 1990s, following the dissolution of the Soviet Union, when Cuba experienced a severe economic downturn due to the loss of subsidized Soviet oil and a guaranteed market for its sugar. During that time, Cubans abandoned cars due to lack of fuel, resorting to bicycles and makeshift transportation like passenger trailers pulled by trucks. Rolling blackouts, known as apagones, were commonplace.

According to sources, the Trump administration has effectively crippled trade with Cuba without formally declaring a blockade. This pressure follows the administration’s success in ousting Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, a key ally of the Cuban government. The situation is further complicated by the ongoing U.S. Conflict with Iran, which has prompted temporary adjustments to sanctions policy regarding Russian oil.

As of Friday, March 20, 2026, the two Russian tankers were reportedly en route to Havana. The U.S. Government has not commented on any potential actions it might take to prevent Cuba from receiving the fuel, and the Cuban government has yet to issue a formal response to the Treasury Department’s announcement.