Leavitt: No policy change on Cuba

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said Monday there had been no formal change in U.S. policy toward Cuba after the administration allowed a Russian oil tanker to reach the country despite a U.S. blockade.

"This is not a policy change. There has not been a formal change in sanction policy," she told reporters at the White House. "As the president said last night, we allowed this ship to reach Cuba in order to provide humanitarian needs to the Cuban people. These decisions are being made on a case-by-case basis."

The U.S. has maintained an effective oil blockade on Cuba since January as it seeks to pressure the country's leadership, contributing to blackouts and fuel shortages.

The New York Times reported that a Russian oil tanker was nearing the island and could reach its destination in Cuba by Monday night.

President Trump on Sunday night told reporters he had "no problem" if oil tankers reached the island nation.

"We don't mind having somebody get a boatload, because they need — they have to survive," he said. "I told them, if a country wants to send some oil into Cuba right now, I have no problem with that. Whether it's Russia or not."

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