Russian tank approaches Cuba, challenging the American oil blockade

A Russian oil tank under US sanctions is scheduled to arrive in Cuba on Monday, challenging a de facto American fuel blockade of the energy-poor island, maritime transport data shows.

Anatoly Kolodkin, which carries 730,000 barrels of crude oil, was north of Haiti on Sunday while heading towards the port of Matanza in western Cuba, according to the ship's Kpler analysis firm, writes foreign media.

Cuba lost its main regional ally and oil supplier in January, when American forces seized Venezuela's socialist leader, Nicolas Maduro.

US President Donald Trump then threatened to impose tariffs for any country that sent oil to Cuba and thought of “the island's” ruled by communists.

Jorge Pinon, an expert in Cuba's energy sector at Texas University in Austin, said he was surprised the United States did not try to capture the Russian tank before it came so close to Cuba.

American General: We are not preparing for the invasion of Cuba

I think that now the chances of the United States trying to stop it have virtually disappeared”, Pinnon told the AFP, although he added it was difficult to appreciate what the White House could do.

Once the ship enters Cuban waters, he said, “is almost impossible for the US government to stop it”.

The Cuban government says it has not obtained any oil since January, deepening an energy crisis in the country with 9.6 million people.

President Miguel Diaz-Canel imposed emergency measures to save fuel, including strict fuel rationing.

Fuel prices have risen significantly, public transportation has been reduced, and several airlines have suspended flights to Cuba, hitting the country's fragile economy. /Periscope