Russian tanker Anatoly Kolodkin is heading to the Caribbean island, despite Donald Trump’s push to choke Cuba's economy.

Cuba is preparing to receive its first shipment of Russian oil this year, just days after the government announced it was operating on natural gas, solar power and thermoelectric plants as severe power outages continue to hit it.

The U.S. Embassy in Havana, Cuba, is urging American citizens to avoid large crowds amid reports of “anticipated pro-Cuban regime and anti-U.S. policy protests and rallies” in the coming days. The Embassy issued an alert shortly before 7 p.

Cuba's regime faces unprecedented economic pressure from Donald Trump's administration, forcing talks on liberalisation as fuel blockades and sanctions devastate the island.

Trump has recently increased pressure on the island nation of Cuba, adding March 17 Washington would be doing "something with Cuba" soon.

The latest blackout in Cuba comes over a week after another massive outage​ affected the island's west, leaving millions without power.

The Treasury Department added Cuba to a list of countries restricted from taking delivery of Russian oil after a tanker of the fuel appeared to be headed to the island, which is under a US naval blockade.

On Friday, Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel said the country was running on about 40% of the fuel it needs, and that figure is dwindling daily as no fuel is entering the country. The result is that women are giving birth in dark hospitals with no power, and locals say they are used to power lasting just two to five hours daily.

According to Cuban authorities, about 45% of electricity service has been restored nationwide, but roughly half the country remains without power. Reports indicate that more than 150 protests have taken place across the island this month alone.

Almost three months after the US effectively imposed an oil blockade on Cuba that worsened its energy crunch, nearly every aspect of Cuban society has been feeling the strain.