Mexico will send a new round of humanitarian aid to Cuba this week, President Claudia Sheinbaum announced, reaffirming her administration’s commitment to supporting the island nation despite mounting diplomatic pressures. The assistance, which includes food and essential goods, will be coordinated by the Navy (Semar) and framed as a response to urgent humanitarian needs.
Speaking at an event in Sonora, Sheinbaum emphasized that the question of oil shipments to Cuba—an issue drawing increasing scrutiny from Washington—remains under diplomatic review. She stated that any future deliveries would be considered on humanitarian grounds and handled through official channels. ‘We are planning humanitarian aid to Cuba… while we resolve diplomatically everything related to oil shipments for humanitarian reasons,’ she said.
The announcement comes amid renewed U.S. sanctions targeting countries that export oil to Cuba. These measures have heightened tensions for Mexico, which has emerged as Cuba’s primary oil supplier following the decline of Venezuelan exports. In the first 13 months of Sheinbaum’s presidency, Mexico delivered over $1.1 billion worth of oil to the island.
We are planning humanitarian aid to Cuba… while we resolve diplomatically everything related to oil shipments for humanitarian reasons.
Sheinbaum also publicly rejected claims made by former U.S. President Donald Trump, who alleged that she had agreed during a recent phone call to halt oil exports to Cuba. ‘We never spoke with President Trump about the issue of oil and Cuba,’ she said, directly contradicting his statement. Instead, she clarified that the matter was addressed at the diplomatic level between Mexico’s Foreign Minister Juan Ramón de la Fuente and U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio.
De la Fuente has defended Mexico’s position as consistent with both constitutional principles and international law. Speaking before lawmakers, he reiterated that Mexico would not suspend humanitarian assistance ‘wherever it is needed’ and stressed the importance of maintaining open diplomatic dialogue.
While Mexico frames its engagement with Cuba as a humanitarian imperative, the policy is not without controversy. The United States may view continued Mexican support—particularly in the form of oil—as undermining its sanctions regime against Havana. Domestically, critics could question whether such aid is appropriate given Mexico’s own social and fiscal challenges.
Nonetheless, Sheinbaum appears intent on navigating a middle path: sustaining humanitarian outreach while deferring contentious energy decisions to diplomatic negotiation. Whether this approach can withstand external pressure remains uncertain.
