Key facts
- Mexico plans to restart oil shipments to Cuba using private companies.
- Previous shipments were suspended due to U.S. tariff threats.
- Cuba is experiencing severe energy shortages and power outages.
- Mexico will also continue providing humanitarian aid to the island.
- The move aims to leverage Cuba's recently approved free-market reforms.
Mexico is seeking to resume oil shipments to Cuba, a move that could offer relief to the island nation grappling with deepening crises and a severe lack of petroleum. Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum announced Monday that her administration intends to restart these shipments soon, utilizing commercial and privately owned firms rather than state-owned companies as done previously.
Mexico became a crucial fuel supplier to Cuba after the U.S. impacted Venezuela's oil exports in January. However, these shipments were completely halted after U.S. President Donald Trump warned of tariffs against any nation providing oil to Cuba. Since then, only one oil shipment, from a Russian tanker carrying 730,000 barrels, has reached the island, and it was consumed within a month.