US fuel exports to Cuba surge to 1.67M barrels in H1 2026 amid supply gaps

Cuba imported a record 1.67 million barrels of fuel from the US in the first half of 2026, filling shortfalls from Venezuela, Mexico, and Russia. This marks a significant shift in US-Cuba energy trade, likely reflecting eased sanctions or emergency licensing. The development underscores Cuba's energy vulnerability and potential geopolitical implications for US policy toward the island.