Russian oil arrives in Cuba following Trump turnaround on Cuban blockade

A Russian oil tanker has reached Cuba, bringing a much-needed shipment to the oil-starved nation. The shipment of oil would be the first to Havana since January, when US forces abducted Venezuelan president and Cuban ally Nicolas Maduro in a raid.

Key takeaways

Quick scan — what you need to know:

• A Russian oil tanker has reached Cuba, bringing a much-needed shipment to the oil-starved nation.
• The shipment of oil would be the first to Havana since January, when US forces abducted Venezuelan president and Cuban ally Nicolas Maduro in a raid.
• This comes after US President Donald Trump signalled to a softening of the blockade against the island nation.
• FRANCE 24's Philip Turle looks into this change of course from Trump, and what could be behind it.

Background

What led here, in plain terms:

• A Russian oil tanker has reached Cuba, bringing a much-needed shipment to the oil-starved nation.
• The shipment of oil would be the first to Havana since January, when US forces abducted Venezuelan president and Cuban ally Nicolas Maduro in a raid.
• This comes after US President Donald Trump signalled to a softening of the blockade against the island nation.
• FRANCE 24's Philip Turle looks into this change of course from Trump, and what could be behind it.

Why it matters

Why readers and decision-makers should care:

• A Russian oil tanker has reached Cuba, bringing a much-needed shipment to the oil-starved nation.
• The shipment of oil would be the first to Havana since January, when US forces abducted Venezuelan president and Cuban ally Nicolas Maduro in a raid.
• This comes after US President Donald Trump signalled to a softening of the blockade against the island nation.