The US has permitted a Russian oil tanker to reach Cuba, potentially providing a lifeline to the Caribbean island amid a de facto oil blockade. The reason behind this move is unclear, and it has raised concerns about the implications for the region. The shipment comes as the US has imposed a blockade on Venezuela and has increased tensions with Russia.

The US is allowing ⁠a Russian tanker full of ⁠crude oil to reach Cuba, the ⁠New York Times newspaper reported on Sunday, possibly granting a lifeline to the Caribbean island amid a de facto oil blockade imposed by Washington. Ship tracking data showed the Russian-flagged tanker Anatoly Kolodkin on Sunday was just off the eastern tip of Cuba. The Times report, citing a ‌US official briefed on the matter, said it was unclear why the US Coast Guard was allowing the shipment to go through. A move by...