Posted by Alumni from The Atlantic
March 23, 2026
The Anatoly Kolodkin is carrying tens of thousands of tons of crude oil apparently meant for Cuba, which is battling a fuel shortage. But it may not reach its destination: The U.S. Navy is policing the Caribbean to choke off Havana's oil supply. The Trump administration is squeezing Cuba to a breaking point'and is seemingly willing to engage in a high-seas stand-off that has pronounced Cold War echoes. Donald Trump's goal appears to be to install more amenable leadership in Havana. Last week, he told reporters at the White House that he believes he'll have the 'honor of taking Cuba,' adding: 'Whether I free it, take it'I think I can do anything I want with it.' The White House is calculating that the island's extreme economic hardships will provide the leverage Trump needs to force Havana into submission. Cuba's president, Miguel Diaz-Canel, publicly acknowledged discussions between the two governments last week and pledged a series of reforms aimed at appeasing Washington, a... learn more