Mexico's government, led by President Claudia Sheinbaum, is exploring ways to send fuel to Cuba to ease its energy crisis while avoiding U.S. tariff retaliations announced by Donald Trump. Cuba has faced an acute fuel shortage since December 2025, worsened by the cutoff of Venezuelan supplies and U.S. pressures. Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel thanked Mexico for its support but expressed regret over the lack of recent shipments.
Mexico's government is assessing options to resume oil shipments to Cuba without incurring tariffs imposed by U.S. President Donald Trump, according to Reuters citing four sources familiar with the matter. Mexican officials have held talks with U.S. counterparts every two days to clarify the scope of Trump's January 29, 2026, executive order threatening tariffs on countries supplying fuel to the island. Mexico suspended deliveries after the announcement, though President Claudia Sheinbaum insisted it was a sovereign decision, not due to external pressure.
Cuba, which imports two-thirds of its energy needs—around 110,000 barrels daily—has received only one tanker from Mexico this year with 86,000 barrels. Expert Jorge Piñón from the University of Texas Energy Institute warned that without new shipments, Cuba will face a severe crisis by March. The shortage intensified on January 3, 2026, when the U.S. captured Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, cutting off about 30,000 barrels daily that Venezuela provided in 2025.
In a televised address on February 5, Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel acknowledged: “We are going to live through difficult times” and announced a plan for “acute fuel shortages.” He condemned the U.S. “aggressive and criminal policy,” which impacts transportation, hospitals, and the economy. Díaz-Canel thanked Sheinbaum, Morena, and Mexico's Foreign Ministry for their support, including a prior shipment, but regretted that Cuba has not received fuel since December 2025 due to U.S. pressures.
Cuba's National Defense Council approved “State of War” plans on January 18 following the attack on Venezuela, with weekly military exercises. It remains unclear if Mexico will find a solution to continue shipments without retaliation.
