Venezuela's Oil Route to Cuba: A Journey Under U.S. Scrutiny

A Venezuelan oil tanker, previously noted for transporting fuel to Cuba, has recently loaded 150,000 barrels of gasoline, hinting at a potential transfer to the island under U.S. scrutiny, according to sources reviewed by Reuters on Thursday. The vessel's departure status from Venezuela remains unclear as of the latest monitoring.

Following the U.S. capture of President Nicolas Maduro, any ship departing Venezuelan waters requires U.S. authorization, due to the U.S.'s continued military presence and control over Venezuelan oil exports. Cuba, historically reliant on Venezuelan oil, has faced limited fuel avenues since the U.S. blockade in December disrupted supplies.

Amid depleted resources, lines for fuel at Cuban stations have grown. While Mexico provided a shipment in January, no further supplies have followed. Cuban authorities are formulating strategies to mitigate the crisis, heightened by U.S. tariffs. The White House, despite Cuba's stand for equal diplomatic discussions, maintains ongoing talks without further elaboration.