Mexico to Send Essential Supplies to Cuba
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum announced on Sunday that her administration will dispatch humanitarian aid, including food and other essential products, to Cuba this week. The announcement was made during a public event in the northern state of Sonora. This move comes as Cuba grapples with a severe economic and humanitarian crisis, marked by acute fuel shortages and widespread blackouts.
Cuba's Deepening Humanitarian and Energy Crisis
Cuba is currently experiencing a profound economic downturn, characterized by significant fuel scarcity, daily blackouts often exceeding 12 hours, and growing food insecurity. The situation worsened considerably after Venezuela suspended its oil shipments to the island in January, following a US military operation that led to the removal of President Nicolás Maduro. Prior to this, Mexico had emerged as Cuba's primary oil supplier in 2025, providing approximately 20,000 barrels per day. Experts warn that Cuba's remaining oil reserves could be depleted within weeks, threatening critical services such as hospitals, food distribution, and transportation.
Mexico's Stance Amidst US Pressure
President Sheinbaum's decision to send humanitarian aid, excluding oil, reflects a delicate diplomatic balancing act. The announcement follows an Executive Order signed by US President Donald Trump on January 29, 2026, which threatens to impose tariffs on countries that supply oil to Cuba. Sheinbaum stated that while Mexico will proceed with food and other products, it will 'hold off on oil shipments' due to the US tariff threats. She emphasized that Mexico is 'searching all diplomatic channels' to find a solution for sending oil to Cuba for humanitarian reasons. Despite Trump's claims of having discussed the matter with her, Sheinbaum denied any such conversation regarding oil shipments to Cuba.
International Reactions and US Policy
The US Executive Order, titled 'Addressing Threats to the United States by the Government of Cuba,' declares a national emergency and aims to deter third-country oil flows to Cuba by targeting their exports to the United States with tariffs. The Cuban government has vehemently condemned this order, describing it as a 'brutal act of aggression' and an attempt at 'economic strangulation' that violates international law. The US policy is seen by some as an effort to increase pressure on the communist-run island and potentially trigger a change in government.
1 Comments
Mariposa
Mexico's decision to provide food but not oil shows a careful balancing act between compassion and political reality. It addresses immediate needs but leaves the core energy crisis unresolved due to US pressure.