Fuel delivery to Cuba called off by Mexico

Mexico’s president, Claudia Sheinbaum, signaled on Tuesday that a planned fuel delivery to Cuba has been called off, stressing that the move reflects Mexico’s sovereign judgment rather than yielding to outside pressure.

The Caribbean nation is grappling with worsening energy shortfalls and rolling blackouts, and Mexico had stepped in as one of Cuba’s main crude suppliers after Venezuelan exports were blocked by the United States.

Reports earlier this week suggested that state-owned Pemex withdrew a scheduled shipment of oil destined for Havana this month. When pressed at her daily news briefing about such reports, Sheinbaum reiterated that decisions over shipments are made independently by Mexico as and when deemed necessary.

Speculation has swirled that Mexico’s government has been reassessing its support for Cuban fuel deliveries amid concern about potential repercussions from Washington. In early January, following the U.S. capture of Venezuela’s Nicolás Maduro, U.S. President Donald Trump declared on social media that Cuba would no longer receive oil or financial support.

Sheinbaum declined to say whether the recent cancellation marks a one-time pause or a more prolonged interruption in deliveries, but she reaffirmed Mexico’s long-standing opposition to the U.S. embargo on Cuba. “Cuba has been subject to an embargo for far too long, contributing to shortages across the island,” she said. “Mexico has stood with Cuba in solidarity, and that will continue.”

The issue puts Sheinbaum in a delicate position, as she seeks to signal to the Trump administration that Mexico is a constructive partner on trade and security while also maintaining support among the left wing of her Morena party.

Political analysts note that her cautious public comments often reflect the need to balance internal party dynamics with external diplomatic challenges.

This article was written with information gathered from The Guardian.