Russian Tanker Delivers Crude Oil As China Ships 15,000 Tons Of Rice To Cuba Amid Crises
The Chinese ship Loyalty Hong has delivered 15,000 tons of rice to Cuba to address severe food shortages, after the US imposed sanctions on the country following the US military intervention in Venezuela. Cuba had relied heavily on Venezuelan oil, but a US embargo cut supplies, triggering blackouts.
The Chinese move comes a day after a Russian tanker Anatoly Kolotkin arrived at Matanzas port in Cuba carrying 100,000 metric tons (750,000 barrels) of crude oil, the first such shipment since the US-imposed blockade began in January, providing relief from blackouts and fuel shortages.
Read Also: Giant Kuwaiti Crude Oil Tanker Hit At Dubai Port In Iranian Attack, Possible Oil Spill Warned
Cuba has been experiencing a series of nation-wide blackouts as the blockade exacerbated existing fuel shortages. World Health Organization (WHO) had last week warned that severe fuel shortages meant that Cuban hospitals were struggling to maintain emergency and intensive care services.
After seizing Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro – an ally of Cuba and critic of the US – who had been providing the island with oil, the US ceased the export to Cuba, and threatened to impose tariffs on any nation sending oil to Cuba, leaving the Island nation in crisis
Read Also: President Trump ‘Quite Interested’ In Calling On Arab States To Pay For Iran War: White House
