HAVANA – Mexican state oil company Petróleos Mexicanos has removed a scheduled crude oil shipment to Cuba from its export calendar, canceling a delivery that was supposed to be loaded in mid-January and reach the island before the end of the month. The decision was confirmed by documents reviewed by Bloomberg and reports from multiple news outlets.
Since 2023, Mexico has been supplying Cuba with crude oil to help offset reduced Venezuelan deliveries, sending around 20,000 barrels per day on average to support energy generation amid chronic power outages and fuel shortages. These shipments have become a vital component of Cuba’s energy supply after Venezuela’s production declined.
The cancellation comes at a time of heightened diplomatic tension. In recent weeks, U.S. President Donald Trump has intensified public warnings against continued oil assistance to Cuba, declaring that there will be “no more oil or money” for the island and urging Havana to reach an agreement with Washington before “it is too late.”
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum previously stated that Mexico would continue sending petroleum as part of long-term contractual arrangements and humanitarian support. However, sources cited by international media report that internal discussions in Mexico have increasingly weighed the potential political cost of maintaining the oil supply in light of pressure from Washington, where U.S. officials have signaled their intent to escalate measures against Cuba’s energy imports.
Neither Pemex nor the Mexican Secretariat of Energy has issued a formal explanation for the decision to cancel the shipment. Cuban authorities also have not commented publicly on the change in Mexico’s export schedule.
The move underscores the complex regional energy geopolitics and diplomatic pressures facing Latin American governments. With Venezuela’s exports curtailed and Mexico re-evaluating its role as a major supplier, Cuba’s options for external energy support appear to be narrowing at a moment when the island continues to grapple with economic challenges and persistent blackouts.
The situation remains fluid as geopolitical tensions intersect with energy security and economic necessity across the Caribbean region.
