A tanker altered its course to avoid the US Coast Guard while transporting fuel to Cuba, amid rising energy pressures on the island.
It has been claimed that a product tanker sailing in the Caribbean changed its course due to the presence of the U.S. Coast Guard. The ship, reported to be carrying fuel to Cuba, moved away from the area before approaching the island.
No official statement has been made by the U.S. However, maritime observers indicate that the Liberia-flagged chemical/product tanker Ocean Mariner encountered U.S. Coast Guard elements while heading towards Cuba and subsequently changed its course.
After departing from Colombia, the ship entered the Windward Passage between Cuba and Haiti. However, according to AIS data, it made a sudden U-turn and headed south of Hispaniola Island. Maritime tracking data shows that the vessel was in the same area as the U.S. Coast Guard ship USCGC Stone off the coast of Haiti.
Oil flow to Cuba has been cut off.
Reports indicate that the Trump administration effectively halted oil shipments to Cuba in early January, following the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro on January 5. It has been reported that Washington instructed the new government in Caracas not to send oil and aid to Cuba and also threatened Mexico with tariffs to stop oil shipments.
Ocean Mariner was the last tanker to deliver approximately 86,000 barrels of fuel from Mexico to Cuba on January 9.
The energy crisis is deepening.
According to information reported in the media, the fuel shortage in Cuba has reached serious levels. Long-term power outages are being experienced in many regions of the country, and some analyses suggest that the fuel in storage will only last for about 20 days. The fuel insufficiency is leading to power outages and disruptions in economic activities.
U.S. vessels in the area.
The U.S. Coast Guard had previously stated that the USS Stockdale, USCGC Stone, and USCGC Diligence were stationed off the coast of Haiti as part of a regional security mission. Media reports indicate that a product tanker sailing in the area was stopped on February 13, but there is no information regarding an actual search of the vessel.
Humanitarian aid has arrived.
Meanwhile, it has been reported that two Mexican ships delivered humanitarian aid to Havana. The shipment included dairy products, meat, rice, legumes, canned fish, and hygiene supplies. The Mexican government announced plans for another aid shipment but has not taken any steps regarding oil delivery.
Observers continue to closely monitor the future route of Ocean Mariner during a period when the U.S. is increasing its energy pressure on Venezuela and Cuba.
Source: SeaNews Türkiye
