Mexico.- Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum said on Monday that her government is working with Cuban authorities to reactivate the supply of oil to the island after US President Donald Trump said on Sunday that he had “no problem” with Cuba receiving Russian fuel.
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The work we have with Cuba regarding trade agreements also has to do with the shipment of oil,” said the president during her morning press conference.
On Sunday, the US president stated that he doesn’t care if Cuba receives crude oil from a Russian tanker that was in the vicinity of the island: “
They have to survive! I have no problem“, he assured.
When questioned about the apparent easing of restrictions by the United States, allowing the arrival of the Russian tanker in Matanzas, the Mexican ruler recalled that for some time tariffs, which the Trump administration had announced for those who sent oil to the island, were reduced.
“At some point there were related fees, well, tariffs if they were sent, then the tariffs decreased and we always seek humanitarian aid. It is in that context that we will make the decision and it will always be reported whether or not oil is sent to Cuba,” Sheinbaum insisted.
He also explained that both trade agreements and humanitarian aid with the island have been in place “for decades.”
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We are working on both topics with them,” he emphasized.
Sheinbaum says Mexico is working with Cuba to reactivate oil shipments
Mexico, along with Venezuela, have been the main suppliers of oil to Cuba, however, since last January 29th, President Donald Trump signed an executive order that threatened tariffs to whoever supplied fuel to the island.
Cuba has been immersed since mid-2024 in a serious energy crisis that deepened with the oil siege imposed by the U.S. Government starting in January. The measures of the American Government have been described by the UN as “actions that violate human rights”.
The Caribbean island needs about 100,000 barrels of oil per day, of which it only gets 40,000 from its own wells.
Trump signed an executive order on January 29th threatening the imposition of tariffs on any country that supplies oil to Cuba, in response to which the Kremlin promised humanitarian aid to overcome the crisis.
The inability of the Cuban authorities to meet the energy demand has resulted in prolonged daily blackouts and the almost total paralysis of economic activity.
