Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum defended the country's oil shipments to Cuba on Tuesday, describing them as a "sovereign decision" driven by both national energy policy and humanitarian considerations.
During her morning press briefing, Sheinbaum elaborated that Pemex independently determines the timing and conditions of crude oil shipments within the framework of decisions that Mexico makes autonomously.
"As we've stated, it is a sovereign decision, and Pemex makes its own choices," she asserted to the press.
Sheinbaum highlighted that energy cooperation with Havana is not a new development but rather a continuation of a policy upheld by multiple Mexican administrations.
"Cuba has been under a blockade for many years, causing supply shortages on the island. Mexico has always stood in solidarity and will continue to do so," she emphasized.
Despite persistent questioning from journalists during the conference, Sheinbaum refrained from specifying whether Mexico will continue its crude oil shipments to Cuba in the coming days.
The president neither confirmed nor denied the continuation of these operations, reiterating only that it remains a "sovereign decision," wherein Pemex and the federal government act based on their own criteria, contractual obligations, and humanitarian concerns, without divulging further details about the immediate future of these shipments.
"The decision is made whenever necessary," Sheinbaum stressed.
Her response follows reports by Bloomberg that Petróleos Mexicanos (Pemex) had canceled an oil shipment to Cuba, initially scheduled to arrive on the island at the end of January.
According to the news outlet, the state-owned company removed the mid-month shipment from its official schedule, interpreting this as a sign that U.S. political pressure is beginning to influence concrete decisions impacting Cuba's already precarious energy situation.
Additionally, Reuters previously reported that the Mexican government is reconsidering whether to continue sending oil and fuels to Cuba, fearing potential repercussions from the U.S. administration under President Donald Trump.
Based on information from three unnamed sources consulted by the agency, this review—which had not been publicly disclosed—comes at a time when Mexican shipments have become a lifeline for the island, following disruptions in Venezuelan supplies due to recent events in that country.
Insights on Mexico's Oil Shipments to Cuba
Why has Mexico been sending oil to Cuba?
Mexico has been sending oil to Cuba as part of a longstanding policy of solidarity and cooperation, aiming to assist the island in overcoming supply shortages exacerbated by longstanding blockades.
What factors influence Pemex's decisions regarding oil shipments?
Pemex's decisions about oil shipments are influenced by national energy policies, contractual obligations, and humanitarian considerations, with the company operating independently within Mexico's sovereign framework.
How have recent geopolitical tensions affected Mexico's oil shipments to Cuba?
Recent geopolitical tensions, particularly pressure from the U.S. government, have led to a reassessment of Mexico's oil shipments to Cuba, as these shipments become increasingly critical for the island amid supply disruptions from Venezuela.