Mexico Continues Oil Shipments to Cuba Despite US Pressure—President
Speaking amid claims that her government planned to suspend shipments, Sheinbaum described the oil transfers as part of Mexico’s humanitarian assistance, even as Washington seeks to further isolate the Caribbean nation diplomatically and economically.
“Humanitarian aid to Cuba, as to other countries, continues,” she said during her regular press briefing. “Mexico has always been a country of solidarity.”
Her remarks came as the US administration intensifies pressure on regional partners to scale back support for Cuba, following actions taken against Venezuela and moves affecting its oil sector. US President Donald Trump has previously vowed to pursue the collapse of the Cuban government.
Sheinbaum sought to clarify Mexico’s stance after comments she made a day earlier sparked widespread speculation that oil exports to Cuba might be suspended. “I never said whether shipments had been suspended or not. That was an interpretation that came later based on a newspaper article,” she said, addressing a Bloomberg report.
Mexico, along with Venezuela, is one of Cuba’s key sources of crude oil. The island’s economy and industrial capacity have long been constrained by a US economic, commercial, and financial embargo in place since the 1960s.
According to reports, Mexico’s state-owned oil company supplied roughly 20,000 barrels of crude per day to Cuba last year. The most recent documented shipment, made in January, amounted to about 86,000 barrels.
Sheinbaum explained that oil reaches Cuba through two main mechanisms. “There are two channels through which oil is delivered to Cuba. One is through contracts established by Pemex with a Cuban government institution, and the other is humanitarian aid, which also includes oil deliveries, along with other goods sent as humanitarian assistance,” she said.
The policy has drawn criticism from US Republican lawmakers. One congressman warned that Mexico’s continued support for Cuba could carry trade repercussions, particularly as discussions continue around the United States–Mexico–Canada (USMCA) trade agreement.
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