Russia stated it is analyzing options to help Cuba face its energy crisis and pressure from the United States, but assured no escalation with President Donald Trump's government, according to Diario de Cuba as reported by journalist Mario J. Pentón in a post at approximately 12:15-12:45 AM UTC on February 13, 2026. The Kremlin neither confirmed nor denied a possible oil shipment to Cuba, while Russian diplomats hinted that supplies could continue, per the Diario de Cuba report shared by Pentón. Analysts close to Moscow suggested economic support and an eventual military presence. Separately, Russia suspended tourist flights to Cuba and focused on repatriating its citizens. This development follows the US Embassy in Santo Domingo's closure of its DEA office in the Dominican Republic over corruption on February 12, as previously reported by the Associated Press, and ongoing Cuban regime actions including pretrial detention of El4tico dissidents Ernesto Ricardo Medina and Kamil Zayas Pérez in Holguín by Provincial Prosecutor Yamisel Hernández, plus charcoal rationing in Guantánamo due to fuel shortages.
