Mexico weighs stopping oil shipments to Cuba amid concerns of Trump retaliation, sources say

Source: Reuters

Exclusive-Mexico weighs stopping oil shipments to Cuba amid concerns of Trump retaliation, sources say

By Diego Oré
Fri, January 23, 2026 at 2:31 PM EST

MEXICO CITY, Jan 23 (Reuters) - The Mexican government is reviewing whether to keep sending oil to Cuba amid growing fears within President Claudia Sheinbaum's administration that Mexico could face reprisals from the United States over the policy, which is a vital lifeline for the Communist-run Caribbean island, according to three sources familiar with the discussions.

A U.S. blockade of oil tankers in Venezuela in December and the dramatic capture of President ​Nicolas Maduro this month have halted Venezuelan oil shipments to Cuba, leaving Mexico as the single-largest supplier to the island that suffers from energy shortages and mass blackouts.

Mexico's pivotal role in sending oil to Cuba has also put the ‌U.S.' southern neighbor in Washington's crosshairs. President Donald Trump has stressed Cuba is "ready to fall" and said in a January 11 Truth Social post: "THERE WILL BE NO MORE OIL OR MONEY GOING TO CUBA - ZERO!"

Publicly, Sheinbaum has said Mexico will continue oil shipments to Cuba, saying they are based on longterm contracts and ‌considered international aid. But the senior Mexican government sources said the policy is under internal review as anxiety grows within Sheinbaum's cabinet that the shipments could antagonize Trump.

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