Mexico Reviews Cuba Oil Shipments Amid Trump Pressure

Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum has reaffirmed her country's "solidarity" with Cuba amid reports that Mexico cancelled a planned January oil shipment to the Caribbean island, highlighting growing geopolitical tensions in Latin America under the Trump administration.The development comes as Cuba faces an increasingly severe energy crisis, with traditional ally Venezuela halting crude deliveries following recent political upheaval. Mexico has emerged as a crucial alternative supplier, providing approximately 5,000 barrels per day in 2024 to help Cuba navigate a punishing US trade embargo.During her Tuesday morning press conference, Sheinbaum declined to confirm or deny media reports from Bloomberg and Mexican newspaper Reforma about the cancelled shipment. Instead, she characterized Mexico's oil assistance as a "sovereign decision" made either by state oil company Pemex through contracts or by the government for humanitarian purposes."It is determined by Pemex based on the contracts, or, in any case, by the government, as a humanitarian decision to send it under certain circumstances," Sheinbaum stated, sidestepping direct questions about future shipments.The uncertainty surrounding Mexico's oil policy toward Cuba reflects broader regional realignments following President Donald Trump's return to office. Trump told reporters Tuesday that "Cuba will be failing very soon," while confirming that Venezuela has ceased sending oil or financial support to the island nation.According to shipping data and internal documents from Venezuelan state company PDVSA, Venezuela has not delivered crude or fuel to Cuba for approximately one month. This represents a significant shift from previous arrangements where Venezuela provided discounted oil supplies that were essential for Cuba's energy security.Reuters reported last week that the Mexican government is conducting an internal review of its Cuba oil policy amid concerns within Sheinbaum's administration about potential friction with Washington. The review underscores the delicate balance Mexico must strike between maintaining regional solidarity and managing its crucial relationship with the United States.Cuba's energy infrastructure has struggled with chronic shortages and frequent blackouts, making reliable oil imports essential for basic services and economic stability. With Venezuela's supplies now offline, Mexico's continued support has become increasingly critical for Cuba's energy security.The situation illustrates the broader geopolitical implications of energy diplomacy in Latin America, where oil shipments serve not only commercial but also strategic and humanitarian purposes. As regional alliances shift under changing US policies, countries like Mexico face complex decisions balancing domestic interests with international solidarity commitments.Source: Based on reporting from Al Jazeera and other international media outlets.