Mexico Plans Oil Shipments to Cuba Via Private Firms

President Claudia Sheinbaum announced Monday that Mexico intends to restart oil shipments to Cuba to mitigate a deepening energy crisis. The island is currently experiencing severe power outages, water shortages, and the suspension of medical surgeries, producing only 40% of its required petroleum.

To avoid state-level complications and bypass previous disruptions, Sheinbaum plans to utilize commercial and privately owned firms with transport permits. This strategy leverages recent free-market reforms approved by the Cuban government. Mexico had previously suspended fuel deliveries after U.S. President Donald Trump threatened tariffs on any nation selling oil to Cuba.

The crisis intensified following a U.S. military attack on Venezuela in early January, which halted critical shipments to the island. Since that attack, Cuba has received only one shipment of 730,000 barrels via a Russian tanker. President Sheinbaum confirmed that Mexico will also continue providing humanitarian aid to the island.