Sheinbaum: USMCA Won’t Affect Diesel Sales to Cuba

ByFernanda Monroy

This article by Fernanda Monroy originally appeared in the October 16, 2025 edition of Revista Contralínea.

President Claudia Sheinbaum assured that Mexico’s relationship with Cuba over the sale of diesel and the deployment of doctors will not affect ties with the United States, in view of the future renegotiation of the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA).

During her morning press conference, the federal leader explained that, due to the surplus of diesel in Mexico, the decision was made to sell it to Cuba through contracts.

Sheinbaum also highlighted the agreements for Cuban doctors to care for the vulnerable Mexican population, which she described as transparent and beneficial for the country. “For years, the door to training specialists [in Mexico] was closed, and [Cuban doctors] generously come to support the most remote communities.”

Sheinbaum Pardo emphasized that humanitarian aid will always be provided to nations in need. “Mexico will always provide it, to Cuba and other countries in need. That is our essence: humanism.”

The President emphasized that the relationship with Cuba will not affect ties with its northern neighbor in any way. “The United States knows that Mexico is an independent, free, and sovereign country, and that the decisions we make are sovereign decisions. [Furthermore,] the relationship with the United States is very good.”

In this regard, President Sheinbaum reported that the Secretary of Foreign Affairs, Juan Ramón de la Fuente , informed her that the meeting he held with the Secretary of State of the United States to follow up on bilateral security agreements was very cordial. He explained that the dates for the U.S. official’s visit to Mexico were agreed upon to continue the coordinated work.

Claudia Sheinbaum recalled that, in the commercial sphere, the Secretary of Economy, Marcelo Ebrard Casaubón, will travel to the United States to finalize the proposals that country has made regarding so-called “trade barriers .” He explained that most have already been resolved, so there are no problems with the northern neighbor.