Trump says Mexico to stop sending oil to Cuba as US pressure grows

Washington, United States,

US President Donald Trump has said that Mexico will stop supplying oil to Cuba, a move that could further deepen the Caribbean island’s worsening economic and energy crisis.

Speaking to reporters in the Oval Office on Monday, Donald Trump described Cuba as a “failed nation” and claimed that Mexican oil exports to the island would soon come to an end. “Mexico is going to cease sending them oil,” he said, linking the move to Washington’s broader efforts to increase pressure on the Cuban government.

Cuba has long depended on discounted oil from Venezuela to keep its economy running. However, those supplies fell sharply after Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro was captured earlier this year following a US-backed operation, triggering diplomatic tensions and sanctions that severely disrupted fuel flows. With Venezuelan oil largely cut off, Mexico emerged as Cuba’s most important remaining supplier.

The comments come as the Trump administration intensifies economic pressure on Havana. Last month, Donald Trump approved an executive order threatening punitive tariffs on countries that continue supplying oil to Cuba. Analysts warn the policy could worsen fuel shortages, increase power outages and deepen hardship for Cubans already facing severe shortages of electricity and basic goods.

Mexico’s role in supplying crude has become a sensitive diplomatic issue. Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum has defended her country’s support for Cuba, describing it as humanitarian and rooted in longstanding bilateral ties. She has also rejected suggestions that Mexico’s oil policy is dictated by Washington, stressing that such decisions are made independently.

In recent days, Mexico’s state-owned oil company, Pemex, cancelled a planned oil shipment to Cuba. Mexican officials said the decision was based on commercial considerations rather than political pressure. Mexico has also indicated it may continue providing humanitarian assistance, including food and essential supplies, to help ease the impact of fuel shortages on the Cuban population.

Despite Trump’s assertions, there has been no formal confirmation from Mexico that all oil exports to Cuba will cease. Mexico continues to balance its historic relationship with Havana against its economic ties with the United States, its largest trading partner.

Trump also said the United States is in contact with Cuban leaders, though he offered no details. Carlos Fernández de Cossío, Cuba’s vice foreign minister, later confirmed that communication between the two governments exists but said there are no formal negotiations under way.

The developments highlight rising regional tensions as countries navigate competing pressures involving diplomacy, trade and humanitarian concerns amid shifting US policy towards Cuba.