What Was Claudia Sheinbaum Really Saying About Oil Shipments to Cuba?

Recent remarks by Mexico's President, Claudia Sheinbaum, regarding the alleged halt in oil shipments from Pemex to Cuba have sparked a wave of differing interpretations across various news agencies and international media outlets.

During her morning address on Tuesday, January 27, Sheinbaum was persistently questioned about a report by Bloomberg claiming that Mexico had canceled a shipment of crude oil to Cuba scheduled for mid-month. Although she responded, her words left more questions than answers. Sheinbaum neither confirmed nor denied the report directly.

Instead, she emphasized that it is a "sovereign decision" of both the Mexican state and the state-owned company Petróleos Mexicanos (Pemex), and such decisions are made "when necessary."

The Media's Varied Interpretations

Her ambiguous statements led to a diverse array of headlines, differing significantly across Mexican and international press:

The Associated Press reported, "Mexico's President Confirms Suspension of Oil Shipments to Cuba: 'It's a Sovereign Decision'."

In contrast, EFE headlined, "Mexico Does Not Confirm If Oil Shipments to Cuba are Halted and Says It's a 'Sovereign' Decision."

Reuters took a middle ground, noting, "Sheinbaum Doesn’t Deny Suspension of Oil Shipments to Cuba."

Meanwhile, El Universal assumed the suspension, stating, "Sheinbaum Responds to Halt in Oil Shipments to Cuba."

La Jornada chose an institutional tone: "Oil Shipments to Cuba Determined by Pemex."

El País from Spain asserted, "The Decision to Stop Sending Oil to Cuba is Pemex's," assuming the operation was indeed suspended.

These varied perspectives not only reflect different editorial styles but also an attempt to interpret what Sheinbaum left unclear.

Sheinbaum's Stance: Sovereignty and Pemex

Throughout her address, Sheinbaum reiterated several key points, albeit with slight variations:

• "As we've said, it's a sovereign decision, and Pemex makes its choices."
• "Mexico's choice to sell or provide oil to Cuba for humanitarian reasons is also a sovereign decision that's been ongoing for years, not something new."
• "Just as there were times it wasn't sent, and then it was, and other times it wasn't."
• "The decision of when to send, how to send, is based on what Pemex defines in terms of contracts, or if it's a government or humanitarian decision."

She also referenced the international political context:

"Cuba has faced a blockade for too many years, causing supply issues on the island. Mexico has always shown solidarity and will continue to do so."

"Mexico makes sovereign decisions, and this isn't just about the current government. President López Obrador did it, and before him, other governments, even if we didn't agree, made decisions regarding Cuba."

Press Interaction: Evasion Without Denial

Journalists sought clarity, but Sheinbaum's responses remained elusive. Here are some questions she faced and her exact replies:

Journalist: "Is it denied that the oil shipments were or are about to be suspended?"— Sheinbaum: "It's a sovereign decision made when necessary."

Journalist: "Can you confirm there was no political consideration in Pemex's suspension of oil shipments?"— Sheinbaum: "Pemex makes decisions based on its contractual relationship with Cuba."

Journalist: "Why now and not before?"— Sheinbaum: "Just as there were times it wasn't sent, and then it was, and other times it wasn't."

Journalist: "Will the shipments resume at any point or is it a done decision?"— Sheinbaum: "Well, in any case, it will be informed."

Each response reinforced the narrative that nothing has fundamentally changed, and that oil shipments to Cuba have varied historically, with the current decision fitting a longstanding pattern.

Geopolitical Context: Behind the Silence

Bloomberg's original report suggested Pemex had canceled a crude shipment set for Cuba this month, attributing it to U.S. pressure amid rising tensions following the U.S. military capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro in Caracas. Since then, Venezuela's shipments to Cuba have stalled, leaving Mexico as one of the last stable suppliers.

Satellite data and port tracking indicate Pemex has reduced shipments since September 2025, from an average of 20,000 barrels daily to lower, uncertain figures. Analysts like Jorge Piñón from the University of Texas Energy Institute note:

"The president is walking a tightrope between her political rhetoric with Cuba and upcoming meetings with the United States regarding the Trade Agreement."

This tightrope includes domestic pressure: opposition sectors in Mexico harshly criticize the energy support to Cuba, while Havana has remained silent.

Impact on Cuba: Outages and Public Patience

In Havana, the impact is evident. Gas stations are overwhelmed, frequent blackouts occur, and general scarcity increases public sensitivity to any external supply changes. Cuba is enduring one of its worst energy crises in decades. The loss of Venezuelan oil and a potential Mexican reduction exacerbate the situation. Now, as Mexico remains the primary supplier, it bears a greater diplomatic and political cost.

Conclusion: An Unspoken Decision Stirring Debate

The Mexican president neither confirmed nor denied the suspension. Instead, she crafted a discourse on energy autonomy, historical ties with Cuba, and national sovereignty. For some outlets, this was enough to assume the shipment was halted; for others, the silence was insufficient.

What remains undisputed is that the cargo cancellation wasn't denied, and Sheinbaum's public responses were carefully measured. The context—marked by U.S. pressures, tensions with Venezuela, and T-MEC negotiations—suggests the Mexican government seeks to buy time without completely abandoning its solidarity narrative with Cuba.

Will shipments resume? Will the silence persist? "In any case, it will be informed," said the president.

For now, oil isn't flowing. Neither are words.