Mexico Rejects U.S. Pressure on Cuba Fuel Shipments

Mexico's president Claudia Sheinbaum last week defended her country's oil shipments to Cuba: “[They] purchase oil just like other countries do.”

Rep. Carlos Giménez (R.FL) recently accused Sheinbaum of “propping up” the Cuban government with oil shipments, which have increased this year. Giménez said her "pathetic actions" could jeopardize the free trade agreement between Mexico, Canada and the U.S., which is currently being renegotiated.

Sheinbaum dismissed Giménez’s comments: “The U.S. knows that Mexico is an independent, free and sovereign country and that our decisions are sovereign.”

Mexican oil has become a lifeline for Cuba as it navigates a deep economic and fuel crisis.

Sheinbaum also praised the Cuban doctors serving on a mission in Mexico despite a U.S. pressure campaign to coerce foreign governments to end this type of medical cooperation with Cuba. 

Sheinbaum’s comments come on the heels of her recent announcement that she would not attend next month's Summit of the Americas in the Dominican Republic, following the news that Cuba, Venezuela and Nicaragua would be excluded as a result of U.S. pressure. 

Colombian president Gustavo Petro also announced he will boycott the summit.