The Cuban ambassador to Mexico, Marcos Rodríguez Costa, officially stepped down after four years marked by key strategic agreements that supported the Havana regime amid Cuba's deepest crisis in decades.
His departure, announced on November 21 by Mexico's Secretariat of Foreign Affairs (SRE) and confirmed by him on X, comes at a time when Mexico has become one of the island's main diplomatic, energy, and financial supporters.
"It has been an honor to serve Cuba and my people during these 4 years in Mexico," wrote Rodríguez Costa before his final meeting with Foreign Minister Juan Ramón de la Fuente.
The farewell, solemn and lacking in details, sharply contrasts with the political impact of his tenure: under his leadership, Mexico tripled its subsidized oil shipments to Cuba, significantly increased the hiring of Cuban doctors, and strengthened an alliance that has allowed Havana to endure amidst the island's energy and health collapse.
The Architect of Free Oil for Cuba
While the Mexican Foreign Ministry described the relationship as benefiting both nations, independent reports reveal another side. During Rodríguez Costa's tenure, Cuba received shipments from Mexico valued at over $3 billion in oil and derivatives, delivered by Gasolinas Bienestar S.A. de C.V., a Pemex subsidiary established specifically to operate with the island.
Between May and August of 2025 alone, Mexico dispatched 58 shipments to Cuban refineries, during times when the island's population faced blackouts lasting up to 20 hours.
The use of the Sandino ship, sanctioned by the United States, and the lack of transparency in contracts raised questions in Mexico, yet the political bond remained strong. This fuel, which Cuba receives under preferential conditions, is later refined, sold on the island, and in some cases, exported.
These deliveries, widely criticized in Mexico for their fiscal impact, solidified during Rodríguez Costa's years and became one of the largest external support sources for the Cuban regime.
Strengthening the Cuban Medical Program
Rodríguez Costa also played a role in bolstering the Cuban medical program in Mexico, with the number of professionals increasing from 768 to 3,800, despite Cuba's own healthcare staffing crisis.
While hospitals on the island reported a lack of specialists, Mexico signed multi-million dollar agreements with Havana to fill vacancies in rural areas and IMSS-Bienestar hospitals.
Washington has condemned these missions as forced labor, but Mexico openly defends them and has ignored sanctions warnings. The Cuban regime retains a significant portion of the doctors' salaries, a crucial revenue source for its state coffers.
A New Diplomatic Team Takes Charge
Rodríguez Costa's departure paves the way for an unprecedented transition. The embassy will now be led by the couple Eugenio Martínez Enríquez (ambassador and head of mission) and Johana Tablada de la Torre (ambassador and deputy head of mission). Both are staunch defenders of the officialist narrative within Cuba's Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MINREX).
For the regime, Mexico represents a crucial diplomatic post as it is its main political ally in the region, a vital economic partner in energy and health, and a key player in migration negotiations with Washington.
The presence of Tablada and Martínez underscores Havana's desire for tight control over a mission that is strategic for its survival.
Meanwhile, Rodríguez Costa leaves quietly but behind him lies one of the most pivotal periods in recent bilateral relations. His legacy is not in speeches, but in numbers supporting Havana with millions of barrels of oil, thousands of doctors sent, and an alliance that, from Mexico, has helped sustain the Cuban regime while the island continues to suffer from a crisis that drives its people away and empties its hospitals.
His successor arrives with a clear mission: to maintain, at all costs, a relationship that is vital for the Castro leadership headed by Miguel Díaz-Canel.
Insights into Cuba-Mexico Diplomatic Relations
Why is Mexico important to Cuba's regime?
Mexico serves as a crucial ally for Cuba, providing diplomatic, energy, and financial support. It plays a key role in sustaining the Cuban regime through subsidized oil shipments and hiring Cuban medical professionals, which are essential for Cuba's economy.
What was Marcos Rodríguez Costa's impact as ambassador?
During his tenure, Rodríguez Costa facilitated significant oil shipments and the expansion of the Cuban medical program in Mexico. His efforts strengthened the bilateral relationship and provided crucial support to the Cuban regime during a challenging period.
How did Mexico's oil shipments affect Cuba?
Mexico's subsidized oil shipments became a major external support source for Cuba, helping the island manage its energy crisis. This support was crucial as Cuba faced severe blackouts and economic challenges.