President Claudia Sheinbaum has instructed the Secretary of Foreign Relations to establish immediate communication with the U.S. Department of State to state that a humanitarian crisis for the Cuban people must be prevented. This week, Sheinbaum addressed reports that her government was considering halting oil shipments to Cuba. During her Wednesday press conference, she explained that the country sends crude oil through two channels: contracts between Pemex and Cuban state-owned enterprises and as federal government humanitarian aid. On Friday, Sheinbaum commented on the decree signed Thursday evening by President Donald Trump to block crude oil supplies to Cuba from any country. She affirmed that humanitarian shipments would continue. The oil shipments to Cuba gained prominence after Trump intervened in the Venezuelan government and blocked shipments to the island, making Mexico the largest oil supplier amid the U.S. government's open intentions to economically suffocate the Caribbean nation. Sheinbaum also noted that the issue of crude oil supplies to Cuba was not discussed during her phone call with her U.S. counterpart. This morning, Sheinbaum revealed that the shipments represent less than 1% of Mexico's production, which, according to the latest Pemex data, is around 1.6 million barrels per day. In that context, Trump signed an order threatening tariffs on any country providing crude to the island, claiming the Cuban government carries out a hostile policy toward its northern neighbor. Sheinbaum stated that Mexico will seek different alternatives, also in the defense of Mexico, to help the Cuban people in a difficult time, in line with the country's historical international solidarity. "We talked about the relationship between Mexico and the United States and the topic was not touched upon," she said. "We will find a way, without putting Mexico at risk," Sheinbaum said, referring to seeking other types of support. When questioned about the matter, the president read a statement during her morning press conference held from the border city of Tijuana, warning the U.S. government that this measure will provoke a humanitarian crisis that must be avoided. Although she said she will seek diplomatic channels to continue offering humanitarian aid to the island, the president clarified that she first wants to know the scope of this order signed by Trump, "We also do not want to put our country at risk in terms of tariffs," she assured. Regarding the state oil company, she emphasized that it is the same company that defines these supports, without making it clear if they had actually been halted or not.
