Russia says the fuel situation in Cuba is critical, accuses US of ‘suffocating’ the island
MOSCOW, Feb 9 (Reuters) – Russia vowed to act against any military intervention and expressed Moscow’s solidarity with Cuba and Venezuela, saying on Monday the fuel situation in Cuba was critical and U.S. attempts to “stifle” the island’s economy were causing many difficulties.
Cuba on Friday detailed plans to deal with the deepening crisis, including protecting essential services and rationing fuel; The communist-run government went after them, defying U.S. efforts to cut off oil supplies.
US President Donald Trump’s administration has declared Cuba an “unusual and extraordinary threat” to US national security and said the US will no longer buy oil from Venezuela following last month’s operation to capture its leader Nicolas Maduro. He threatened to impose tariffs on other suppliers, such as Mexico, if they continued to send fuel to the island.
“The situation in Cuba is really critical. We are aware of this. We maintain intensive contacts with our Cuban friends through diplomatic and other channels,” Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters.
Russia is trying to rebuild its frayed ties with the United States as Trump tries to broker a deal to end the war in Ukraine. But the Kremlin has made it clear that it is unhappy with Washington’s treatment of Cuba.
“The suffocating tactics implemented by the United States are indeed causing many difficulties for the country. We are discussing with our Cuban friends possible ways to solve these problems or at least provide all possible assistance,” Peskov said.
Peskov was responding to a question about jet fuel shortages and whether that would affect Russian tourists seeking to leave Cuba, Moscow’s long-time ally.
Cuba has warned international airlines that jet fuel will no longer be available on the island as of Tuesday. Air Canada said Monday it was suspending flights to Cuba.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, in his message on the day of diplomatic workers in Russia, said that Moscow is trying to establish relations with developing countries.
“The focus remains on countering neo-colonialist practices, from unilateral coercive measures to military interventions,” Lavrov wrote on his ministry’s website.
“In this context, we reaffirm our solidarity with the people of Venezuela and Cuba. We believe that only they can determine their own destiny.”
Russian Ambassador to Cuba Viktor Coronelli told the state RIA news agency last week that Moscow has repeatedly supplied oil to Cuba in recent years and will continue to do so.
(Reporting by Reuters, Writing by Felix Light, Editing by Andrew Osborn and Ron Popeski)
