Mexico vows solidarity' with Cuba after oil shipment cancellation reports

"Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum says her country will continue to show solidarity with Cuba after media reports that her government halted a shipment of oil to Havana. Mexico has in recent years become a top supplier of oil to Cuba, which relies on cut-price oil supplies from its allies to survive a US trade embargo and keep the lights on through a severe energy crisis."

"Venezuela had been a major supplier of discounted crude to Cuba, but US President Donald Trump said he would halt the shipments after the United States military abducted long-term Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro this month. As recently as December, Mexico was still sending oil to Cuba, but several media outlets, including Bloomberg and the Mexican newspaper Reforma, have reported that a shipment planned in January was called off."

"She told reporters during her regular morning news conference that Mexico's decision to sell or give oil to Cuba for humanitarian reasons was a sovereign decision. It is determined by [Mexican state oil company] Pemex based on the contracts, or, in any case, by the government, as a humanitarian decision to send it under certain circumstances, Sheinbaum said. When asked if Mexico would be resuming oil shipments to Cuba, the president sidestepped the question and said, In any case, it will be reported."

Mexico will continue to show solidarity with Cuba amid indications that a planned January oil shipment to Havana was called off. Mexico has become a top supplier of cut-price oil to Cuba, which depends on discounted supplies to survive a US trade embargo and a severe energy crisis. Venezuela had been a major supplier but shipments stopped following recent US actions involving Nicolás Maduro. Decisions to sell or give oil for humanitarian reasons are presented as sovereign, determined by Pemex contracts or by government humanitarian choice. The government reviewed whether continuing shipments could put Mexico at odds with the United States, while US leaders signaled Cuba faces severe strain without Venezuelan support.

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