Mexico Halts Oil to Cuba, Sends Humanitarian Aid Instead

Mexico has paused its oil shipments to Cuba but is sending humanitarian aid to ease the island’s deepening fuel crisis without provoking U.S. reprisals.

President Claudia Sheinbaum confirmed the halt in a statement, saying, “The assistance is intended for Cuba’s civilian population.” She framed the aid within Mexico’s “tradition of solidarity” with Latin American peoples.

Mexico had been Cuba’s largest oil supplier after Venezuela stopped deliveries in December due to a U.S. blockade. Washington has warned that countries supplying Cuba with oil could face tariffs.

According to local reports, the aid departed from Veracruz on Sunday, February 8. It includes 536 tonnes of liquid milk, meat, cookies, beans, rice, tuna, sardines, vegetable oil, and hygiene items, along with 277 tonnes of powdered milk. Officials expect the shipments to reach Cuba within four days.

Meanwhile, the Cuban government said the fuel shortage has forced international airlines to stop refuelling on the island. Sources cited by EFE news agency warned that Cuba could run out of aviation fuel from Monday, affecting all international airports.

Kerosene shortages are expected to last at least a month.