“Cooperation, Not Subordination?” No Oil from Mexico for Cuba, Sheinbaum Says Will Help “without putting Mexico at risk”

ByAlonso Urrutia

This article by Alonso Urrutia originally appeared in the January 30, 2026 edition of La Jornada, Mexico’s premier left wing daily newspaper.

Tijuana, BC. In stating Mexico’s position regarding the warning from White House chief Donald Trump about imposing tariffs on countries that send oil to Cuba, Mayor Claudia Sheinbaum called for avoiding a humanitarian crisis on the island that could affect hospitals, food, and basic services.

In this context, she reported that he had instructed Foreign Minister Juan Ramón de la Fuente to contact the State Department to ascertain the implications of Trump’s announcement. The goal is to prevent a humanitarian crisis in Cuba without jeopardizing Mexico.

“Mexico will explore various alternatives to provide humanitarian aid to the Cuban people, in accordance with international law.” He noted that the United States has been sending humanitarian aid, food, and other supplies; “we will find ways to maintain solidarity with the Cuban people without putting Mexico at risk.”

“We will find ways to maintain solidarity with the Cuban people without putting Mexico at risk.”

President Sheinbaum emphasized that the imposition of tariffs on oil shipments to Cuba was not a topic discussed in her phone conversation with Trump yesterday. “We didn’t touch on the subject. The issue of Cuba wasn’t discussed. This afternoon, a diplomatic appeal will be made to avoid a humanitarian crisis.”

She stressed that in this context Mexico unequivocally reaffirms the principle of respect for the sovereignty and self-determination of peoples.

Sheinbaum said that less than one percent of national production is being sent to Cuba to put the quantities into perspective. This is the oil used in power plants because, imagine if there were no electricity, it would affect hospitals and refrigerators. The goal is to avoid a humanitarian crisis.

He pointed out that preventing this social impact in Cuba is in the interest not only of the government but also of the Cuban people. That is what we want to convey to the United States government, but without risking further tariffs on Mexican exports.

Editor’s note: There is a protest in solidarity with Cuba this Sunday in Mexico City, starting noon at the old US Embassy at Reforma 305, located 15 minutes march from PEMEX headquarters.