President Claudia Sheinbaum has reiterated that Mexico is exploring all diplomatic avenues to send oil to Cuba, following the United States’ threat to impose tariffs on nations that supply crude oil to the island.
“The problem we have now is that the United States said it will impose tariffs on any country that sells to Cuba, which is why we are exploring all diplomatic channels to resolve this issue, because we don’t want to affect Mexico either,” the president said.
In response to a question during her regular press conference at the National Palace, the head of the Executive Branch reaffirmed her decision to send humanitarian aid to Cuba “while the oil issue is being resolved.”
She mentioned the existence of other contracts with the Caribbean nation, besieged for more than 60 years by the economic, commercial, and financial blockade imposed by Washington and further intensified after the recent decree by US President Donald Trump.
The official referred this Wednesday to agreements for doctors from the Caribbean country to work in Mexico, where they are needed and “are paid what they are owed,” in addition to the purchase of some medications and vaccines.
“These are contracts, like those we have with many other countries around the world, and also like the humanitarian aid we provide to everyone,” Sheinbaum noted, emphasizing the support her nation has also given to others like the United States and Chile in the face of forest fires.
“Wherever they need us,” she affirmed, “we will be there, because Mexico is a country and a people of solidarity.”
For his part, the director of Petróleos Mexicanos (Pemex), Víctor Rodríguez, explained that the state-owned company only has one contract with the island, from 2023, and that it is a commercial agreement like those it has with other nations around the world.
“Last year it was less than one percent of crude oil production, and in terms of the sale of petroleum products, it’s 0.1 percent of Pemex’s sales; that is, it’s very little,” the official pointed out.
He added that in 2025, sales to the island, including crude oil and petroleum products, totaled $496 million and emphasized that Cuba is paying according to the contract.
Diverse voices, from members of parliament to political parties and social organizations, have spoken out in recent days in support of the Caribbean nation in the face of Washington’s energy blockade, which they have described as unjust, cruel, and anachronistic.
Sheinbaum has stated on several occasions that Mexico will seek ways to support Cuba and stressed the importance of avoiding a humanitarian crisis in the largest of the Antilles after the controversial measures announced by the United States.
