This oil tanker was en route to Cuba, the Cuba- Venezuela bond is strong and Chavez spent a few years of his intellectually formative years in Havana. Cuba has for decades voluntarily functioned as a Soviet forward base, many of the US' contemporary leftists were frequent guests in Castro's Cuba. After a brief intermezzo the current Moscow- Havana relationship has bounced back to that earlier level, Russia is heavily invested in Cuba and these Moscow friendly regimes serve as a counterweight to any moves in Europe or the Indo-Pacific.
Back to the intercepted oil tanker, like Venezuela the Cuban economy is also in freefall. As Giuliano pointed out in that linked video, Cuba is currently experiencing a massive energy crisis, regular 24+ hour blackouts. Their main sources of fuel were Mexico and Venezuela. Mexico has been strong-armed by DC into giving up this commie lifeline already, yet Venezuela is still transporting large amount of oil to Cuba to keep the latter on life support.
Take Venezuela out and Cuba will start crumbling too, two birds with one stone kinda scenario. Personally I expect the Russians to step in if that happens, Russia's shadow fleet will provide the oil necessary to keep the commies in Havana in power. Moscow is heavily invested in Cuba, and Russian shadow tankers are already getting intercepted by US Navy patrols in the Western Hemisphere.
