Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum denied that Donald Trump asked her to stop oil shipments to Cuba in a call, and announced humanitarian aid for the island while seeking a diplomatic resolution. Trump confirmed he made the request and praised Mexico's decision. This discrepancy arises amid U.S. tariffs on countries supplying oil to Cuba.
President Claudia Sheinbaum denied on Sunday, February 1, that U.S. President Donald Trump asked her to stop sending oil to Cuba. At an event, Sheinbaum stated: “As I said the other day in the morning conference, we never talked with President Trump about the oil issue with Cuba, and in the afternoon the tariffs were imposed on any country sending oil to the island.” This contradicts Trump, who on Saturday, January 31, aboard Air Force One en route to Palm Beach, Florida, said: “The president of Mexico, President Sheinbaum, was very good. I told her: ‘we don't want you to send more oil there,’ and she's not sending any.”
The background dates to January 29, when Trump signed an executive order imposing tariffs on nations supplying oil to Cuba, a measure labeled “fascist” by the Cuban government. Sheinbaum, who on January 27 described the end of shipments as a “sovereign decision,” warned of a potential humanitarian crisis on the island, which relies on external supplies from Mexico and Venezuela. Since January 3, after the U.S. capture of Nicolás Maduro, Venezuelan support has stopped, leaving Cuba in a precarious energy situation with limited reserves.
In response, Sheinbaum announced humanitarian aid for this week, coordinated with the Secretariat of the Navy and Interior, to remain in place until the oil issue is resolved diplomatically. “I want to tell you, because it's necessary, that this week we are planning humanitarian aid to Cuba... While we resolve diplomatically everything related to oil shipments for humanitarian reasons,” she explained. Trump downplayed the crisis, suggesting Cuba would seek a deal with Washington: “There doesn't have to be a humanitarian crisis. I think they'll probably come to us and want to make a deal. So Cuba will be free again.”
Mexico, a recent main supplier of crude to Cuba—though marginal for Pemex—faces a dilemma between humanitarian solidarity and avoiding U.S. commercial sanctions. The island produces only 25 to 40 thousand barrels daily, making external shipments critical for its economy and daily life.
