May 07, 2026
An oil tanker carrying nearly Russian fuel intended for Cuba has reportedly stalled 1,000 miles off the coast, per Bloomberg. It’s unclear why the ship, which has been en route since mid-April, stopped its journey to the island after Russia vowed to deliver fuel to the island while it’s in dire need. Multiple ships have diverted away from Cuba out of concern of seizure by the US Navy amid a de facto blockade of the island. Only one ship, also Russian, was able to dock in Cuba after receiving a temporary green light from the Trump administration.
Whatever the reason, the ship’s pause comes as US President Donald Trump looks for a win in the Caribbean island.
But between a defiant regime, weak opposition, and Cuban Americans with high expectations, a quick fix is harder than it sounds.
Trump says he will have “the honor of taking Cuba.” While a military intervention seems unlikely for now, US pressure has pushed Cuba's economy into freefall, and Trump wants to be the president who finally delivers what no one else could. The problem: Cuba has no political alternative to replace the Castro government, and even an economic deal risks a backlash from Cuban Americans who want regime change. Ian Bremmer breaks down what Trump actually wants from Cuba, and why it won't be simple.
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