The ripple effects extend to the Western Hemisphere as well. The US Treasury Department announced that Cuba has been added to the list of countries prohibited from receiving Russian-origin oil and petroleum products. The move, executed through the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC), effectively blocks two Russian tankers — one of them, the Sea Horse, reportedly carrying approximately 200,000 barrels — that were en route to the island.
Cuba has been battling severe fuel shortages and a crushing energy crisis since early January 2026. The US decision to block Russian oil deliveries will likely deepen the humanitarian toll, raising questions about the intersection of geopolitical strategy and its impact on civilian populations already in distress.