Anna Hartz
A deep energy crisis in Cuba is shaping events far from the island itself.
Energy and politics are closely linked. When fuel supplies are cut, the effects can be felt far beyond one country.
Moved through the English Channel
The Royal Navy confirmed that it carried out a 48-hour operation to track Russian ships passing through British waters, reports the Sun. The vessels included the frigate RFN Soobrazitelny and the oil tanker MV Anatoly Kolodkin. They were monitored as they moved west through the English Channel.
At the western end of the Channel, the two ships split up. The tanker continued into the Atlantic Ocean, while the frigate turned back. The Kolodkin is carrying about 730,000 barrels of crude oil. Reports suggest it may be heading toward Cuba, though its final destination is still unclear.
Cuba is facing a severe power crisis. Large parts of the country are without electricity. Around ten million people have been affected. The national grid has struggled under pressure, and blackouts now last up to 20 hours a day in some areas.
Close to collapse
Fuel shortages have made the situation worse. Oil shipments from Venezuela have stopped, leaving the island short of energy. President Miguel Díaz-Canel said that no new petroleum deliveries have arrived in the past three months. This has pushed the system close to collapse.
The possible arrival of Russian oil could ease the pressure. At the same time, it could create tension with the United States. Washington has increased pressure on Cuba and warned other countries against supplying oil. There is a risk of a wider dispute if shipments continue.
The Royal Navy has recently tracked several Russian ships moving through nearby waters. These operations are part of ongoing monitoring of military and commercial vessels linked to Russia. The frigate Soobrazitelny is well known to NATO forces and has been seen in the region before.
The situation shows how global tensions connect different regions. A ship passing through the English Channel can be linked to a power crisis in the Caribbean.
