Why Mexico Is Standing by Cuba Despite U.S. Pressure

Mexico’s President Claudia Sheinbaum explains why Mexico continues to support Cuba with oil shipments, even as U.S. pressure intensifies. “If Mexico can help create better conditions for Cuba,” she says, “we will always be there.” 

Sheinbaum outlined how Mexico’s relationship with Cuba has remained consistent across different administrations, combining contractual oil agreements with humanitarian support. 

These statements come in the context of the recent attacks by the United States against Venezuela and the abduction of President Nicolás Maduro and his wife. President Donald Trump has called for a “total and complete blockade” on oil shipments from Venezuela to Cuba. 

Both Mexico and Venezuela are key political allies of Cuba and have helped supply oil to the country as it has navigated severe fuel shortages.

TRANSCRIPT

“I ask you, President, if our country can provide more humanitarian aid to the people of Cuba, who continue to suffer not only because of an economic blockade, but also because of these ongoing threats to their sovereignty,” asked Nancy Flores, a journalist with Contralínea.

“Cuba is under an economic blockade,” explained Claudia Sheinbaum, President of Mexico. “What does an economic blockade mean? It means there are sanctions against countries that support Cuba, and this blockade has been steadily intensified by the United States,” she added.

“When there is an economic blockade, you cannot import and export freely,” she said. “As a result, the conditions for a country’s development become very difficult.”

“Mexico has maintained relations with Cuba under every government,” stated the Mexican president. “When there is an extreme blockade, people live in hardship, and Mexico has always been supportive,” she noted.

“In the case of oil, there have been shipments through contracts,” Sheinbaum explained. “That is one part. For example, when former President Peña Nieto took office, he forgave Cuba’s debt related to oil.”

“So that you can see the nature of the relationship, regardless of the administration in power,” she continued. “President López Obrador sent oil for both reasons, through contracts and, in some cases, for humanitarian reasons, and we decided to continue doing the same.”

“So what do we say now in the face of the current situation?” the Mexican leader concluded. “If Mexico can help create better conditions for Cuba, we will always be there.”