Mexico Plans to Resume Oil Shipments to Cuba Through Private Companies

CIUDAD DE MÉXICO (AP) — Mexico is looking to restart oil shipments to Cuba soon. However, the plan is to carry out this process commercially through private companies, according to statements made by President Claudia Sheinbaum during her morning conference on Monday.

The decision follows U.S. sanctions on Venezuela and the capture of its then-President Nicolás Maduro on January 3rd. Subsequently, U.S. President Donald Trump threatened to impose tariffs on any nation sending fuel to Cuba, worsening the island’s energy crisis.

Historically, Mexico has been a major supplier of fuel to Cuba, along with Venezuela and Russia. During the crisis, shipments scheduled by the state-owned company Petróleos Mexicanos (Pemex) were halted.

A Russian oil tanker carrying 730,000 barrels was the only vessel that managed to reach Cuba, docking on the north coast at the end of March.

Sheinbaum aims to take advantage of new economic opening laws approved by Havana last week. This would enable Mexican entrepreneurs already present on the island to resume the supply.

“The mechanism would involve private companies authorized to deliver fuel to Cuba,” Sheinbaum mentioned, without providing further information. “We hope to resume commerce soon,” she added, though timelines remain unspecified.

Meanwhile, Mexico plans to continue humanitarian aid to Cuba. Cuba’s domestic fuel production covers only 40% of its needs, making imports crucial for maintaining its deteriorating electrical network.

The U.S. energy blockade has severely impacted the Cuban economy, leading to longer blackouts, cuts to the state food rationing system, and shortages of water and medicine.