U.S. President Donald Trump took Mexico by surprise by issuing an executive order that threatened tariffs on any nation supplying oil to Cuba, Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum disclosed on Friday. Speaking at a press briefing in Tijuana, Baja California, Sheinbaum mentioned that Cuba was not discussed during their 40-minute phone call the day before the order was issued.
Trump’s executive order, released on Thursday evening, warned of imposing tariffs on countries that supplied oil to Cuba, without specifying the tariff rates. Mexico, now the primary oil provider for Cuba following Venezuela’s oil industry’s challenges, has been urged to seek clarification from the U.S. State Department by Sheinbaum.
The Mexican president emphasized that potential tariffs on oil shipments to Cuba could lead to a severe humanitarian crisis on the island, affecting essential services like healthcare, electricity, and food supply. She acknowledged the challenges faced by Cuba but noted that Mexico’s interests could not be jeopardized by tariff threats.
Recent data shows a decline in Mexico’s oil exports to Cuba, with Pemex, the state-owned oil company, reportedly halting an oil shipment to Cuba. Veronica Ayala from Mexicans Against Corruption and Impunity criticized the lack of transparency in Mexico’s oil trade with Cuba, pointing out a slowdown in shipments since late 2025.
Matías Gómez Léautaud, a Latin America analyst, highlighted the longstanding relationship between Mexico and Cuba, emphasizing the complexities faced by Mexico amid trade negotiations and security concerns with the U.S. over drug trafficking.
The situation has raised tensions between Mexico and Cuba and poses challenges for future relations, indicating a potential shift in Mexico’s foreign policy approach.
