México Aims to Restart Oil Shipments to Cuba Through Private Firms

CIUDAD DE MÉXICO (AP) — México is planning to resume oil shipments to Cuba soon. The approach will be commercial, using private companies instead of state enterprises. This was announced by President Claudia Sheinbaum during her morning conference on Monday.

The context is tense. After the United States’ action against Venezuela and the capture of then-President Nicolás Maduro on January 3, U.S. President Donald Trump threatened tariff impositions on countries sending fuel to Cuba. This added to Cuba’s existing energy crisis. Historically, México, Venezuela, and Russia have supplied fuel to the island. However, México halted several planned shipments from its state company, Petróleos Mexicanos (Pemex).

An exception occurred when a Russian tanker docked in late March along Cuba’s northern coast, delivering 730,000 barrels of oil. Now, Sheinbaum is looking to leverage Cuba’s newly approved economic opening laws to resume supply through Mexican entrepreneurs in Cuba.

Sheinbaum stated, “The mechanism would be through private firms that have permission to deliver fuel to Cuba,” without providing further specifics. She expressed hope for a prompt, commercial restart but did not specify a timeframe.

Meanwhile, México will continue sending humanitarian aid. Cuba’s current fuel production covers only 40% of its needs. Imports are crucial for sustaining its deteriorating electrical grid.

The U.S. energy blockade has severely impacted the Cuban economy. Prolonged power outages, cuts to state food rationing, and shortages of water and medicines have resulted.