In a surprising move, U.S. President Donald Trump issued an executive order that threatened tariffs on countries providing oil to Cuba, catching Mexico off guard. Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum disclosed this development during a press conference in Tijuana, Baja California, revealing that Trump did not mention Cuba during their recent phone call.
Following the issuance of the executive order, Sheinbaum expressed concern over the potential impact on Cuba, highlighting the risks of a humanitarian crisis if oil supplies were disrupted. She instructed her foreign relations secretary to gather more details from the U.S. State Department on the matter.
The executive order, released in the evening, targets any nation that supplies oil to Cuba, without specifying the exact tariff amounts. Mexico has emerged as a significant oil provider to Cuba since Venezuela’s oil industry came under U.S. influence due to recent military actions against Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro.
The potential disruption of oil shipments to Cuba could have severe repercussions on essential services like hospitals, electricity, and food supply, according to Sheinbaum. She acknowledged the challenges Cuba is facing but emphasized the need to avoid jeopardizing Mexico’s interests due to tariff threats.
Recent data shows a decline in Mexico’s oil exports to Cuba, with Pemex, the state-owned oil company, canceling recent shipments. Veronica Ayala from Mexicans Against Corruption and Impunity raised concerns about the lack of transparency in Mexico’s oil dealings with Cuba, noting a pause in exports coinciding with U.S. scrutiny.
Recognizing the historical ties between Mexico and Cuba, analyst MatÃas Gómez Léautaud highlighted the diplomatic complexities arising from the current situation. The Trump administration’s actions have placed Mexico in a delicate position, affecting trade negotiations and security discussions, potentially reshaping Mexico’s future relationships in the region.
