In Mexico City, President Claudia Sheinbaum disclosed on Tuesday that the nation has at least temporarily suspended oil shipments to Cuba. However, she framed this move as part of standard variations in oil supply management and emphasized that the decision was sovereign and not a response to external pressure from the United States.
Sheinbaum addressed questions regarding Pemex, Mexico’s state-owned petroleum enterprise, and its ongoing contractual relationship with Cuba. She stated, "Pemex makes decisions based on the contract it holds with Cuba. Any suspension is a sovereign decision, implemented only when deemed necessary." The president’s cautious language follows a backdrop of President Donald Trump’s intensified efforts to isolate Cuba and escalate pressure on its government, notwithstanding no formal U.S. request for Mexico to cease oil shipments.
Amid significant energy and economic turmoil, the Cuban government has depended heavily on foreign assistance and imported oil from long-standing allies such as Mexico, Russia, and previously Venezuela. The suspension of Mexican oil shipments signals a pivotal adjustment in these energy support dynamics.
Mexico’s position seeks to balance longstanding support for the Cuban government with mounting calls from Washington for Latin American nations to conform to U.S. policy objectives. Sheinbaum asserted Mexico would continue its solidarity with Havana but did not specify the nature or extent of ongoing assistance.
Concurrently, Mexico faces its own challenges with Washington’s threats of military action against drug cartels. Last week, Mexico handed over numerous suspected cartel members to U.S. authorities, a move Sheinbaum described as sovereign and autonomous, similar to her stance on oil shipment decisions.
Historically, Mexican oil shipments have been vital to Cuba’s energy needs. According to Pemex data, nearly 20,000 barrels per day were delivered to Cuba from January through September 30, 2025. Yet following a visit from U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio to Mexico City during that period, independent analysis by Jorge Piñon of the University of Texas Energy Institute—who tracks shipments via satellite—indicated that deliveries dropped to approximately 7,000 barrels daily.
Despite promises to release clear data concerning oil exports to Cuba, Sheinbaum has yet to provide specifics, and both the Cuban government and Pemex have not responded to recent requests for comment. Analysts suggest Sheinbaum is delicately balancing expressions of support for Cuba with the pragmatic demands of upcoming trade discussions with the United States. Pressure from Washington to halt oil shipments altogether is anticipated to intensify as the administration demands greater results in combating drug cartels.
On the Cuban side, the situation remains tense with citizens coping with fuel shortages. Numerous drivers reportedly endured hours lining up for gasoline—an ongoing hardship on the island—after hearing news of the oil shipment pause. Some expressed resilience in adapting to the challenges, while others worried about the long-term implications.
Rolando Graña, a 40-year-old airport employee, spent two hours waiting in line on a day off in search of fuel. He reflected on how the suspension would weigh heavily on daily life, stating, "That’s going to affect us a lot more now."