US Permits Mexico to Continue Oil Shipments to Cuba Amidst Shifting Policy

Policy Shift on Cuba Oil Shipments

The United States has confirmed it is permitting Mexico to continue shipping oil to Cuba, a move that contrasts with former President Donald Trump's previous public statements to cut off all such supplies to the island nation. Despite Trump's declaration on social media that 'THERE WILL BE NO MORE OIL OR MONEY GOING TO CUBA — ZERO!', the current U.S. policy allows for these shipments to proceed.

U.S. Energy Secretary Chris Wright and other U.S. officials have indicated that Washington's current stance is not aimed at triggering a collapse of the Cuban government. Instead, the objective is to negotiate a transition away from its authoritarian communist system. Officials acknowledge Cuba's severe economic challenges, emphasizing the vital need for oil imports to prevent a humanitarian crisis.

Mexico's Growing Role as Supplier

Mexico has emerged as a crucial fuel supplier to Cuba, particularly following the significant reduction in oil supplies from Venezuela. This increased reliance on Mexico comes after U.S. actions in Venezuela, including the ousting and capture of Nicolás Maduro, which disrupted Cuba's primary source of oil.

Mexico's state-owned oil company, Petróleos Mexicanos (Pemex), facilitates these shipments through its subsidiary, Gasolinas Bienestar S.A. de C.V. The deliveries include both crude oil and refined products such as jet fuel, diesel, and gasoline. Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum has characterized some of these oil shipments as 'humanitarian aid' and stated that Mexico's support for Cuba aligns with its foreign policy, which includes advocating for the suspension of U.S. sanctions against Cuba.

Details of Recent Shipments

Recent data highlights the scale of Mexico's oil provisions to Cuba:

• In 2025, Mexico recorded a new high in oil shipments to Cuba. Between May 29 and June 27, Pemex delivered 39 shipments, totaling over US$850 million in value. These deliveries comprised 10.2 million barrels of crude and 132.5 million liters of refined products, marking the largest monthly volume of Mexican oil exports to Cuba to date.
• Between July 2023 and September 2024, Pemex shipped crude oil and refined products to Cuba valued at approximately 15.6 billion pesos (US$869 million).
• From January to September 30, 2025, Mexico shipped an average of 19,200 barrels per day to Cuba, consisting of 17,200 bpd of crude oil and 2,000 bpd of refined products.

Most of these shipments have originated from customs in Coatzacoalcos, Veracruz, and Tampico, Tamaulipas.

Cuba's Energy Crisis and International Context

Cuba is currently grappling with its most severe energy crisis in decades, characterized by widespread and prolonged power outages. This situation has been exacerbated by ongoing U.S. sanctions and the diminished supply of oil from its traditional ally, Venezuela. The U.S. decision to allow Mexican shipments, despite the rhetoric from the previous administration, reflects a complex diplomatic approach aimed at influencing Cuba's political future while mitigating a potential humanitarian catastrophe.