Mexico halts fuel supplies to Cuba under US sanctions threat
In short
Mexico has stopped supplying oil and petroleum products to Cuba through state company Pemex after Washington threatened sanctions, according to TASS, Vedomosti and Kommersant, citing El Universal and Pemex filings with the US SEC. Pemex stopped reporting Cuba deliveries in the second quarter of 2026, after exports of about 900 barrels per day in the first quarter. Experts cited by the outlets say the end of reporting does not necessarily mean all shipments have stopped.
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Mexico has stopped supplying crude oil and petroleum products to Cuba, with the state company Pemex ceasing to report deliveries to the island in the second quarter of 2026, TASS, Vedomosti and Kommersant reported, citing the Mexican newspaper El Universal and Pemex's filings with the US Securities and Exchange Commission. Pemex subsidiary Servicios Logísticos y Recursos Estratégicos reported Cuba exports of about 900 barrels per day in the first quarter of 2026 and did not report such deliveries in the second, Vedomosti said. The change followed a January 29 executive order by US President Donald Trump introducing an emergency regime for Cuba, which provides for tariff measures against companies and governments that supply oil to the island, according to Vedomosti. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
Kommersant reported that the move was made under pressure from Trump, who threatened to impose higher import tariffs on Mexico. At the same time, all three documents leave open how complete the halt is. Vedomosti cited the head of the consulting company GMEC, Gonzalo Monroy, as saying that the absence of supply data in Pemex's reporting does not necessarily mean deliveries have stopped completely, and that information on the volumes and payment of such supplies remains opaque. Kommersant, citing El Universal and experts it interviewed, said Cuba may be receiving Mexican oil through other schemes, and noted that a previous reported halt on January 26, 2026 was accompanied by a tanker bound for Cuba changing course for Denmark. [ 2 , 3 ]
The interruption affects a country that imports about 60% of its energy carriers and for a long time obtained most of its oil from Venezuela and Mexico, Kommersant reported. Cuban authorities link the worsening energy situation in the country in part to restricted fuel supplies; Foreign Minister Bruno Rodríguez Parrilla has said that in 2026 residents of the island receive electricity for only two to three hours a day, according to Vedomosti. Kommersant, citing an FT estimate, reported that if supplies are not resumed, Cuba will probably have to introduce strict rationing of electricity, while the administration of Claudia Sheinbaum has said it will seek to supply oil to Cuba for humanitarian purposes. [ 2 , 3 ]
On the US side, Vedomosti cited a March 13 Bloomberg report that Washington plans to use economic pressure to make Cuba financially dependent on the United States and intends to pursue a change of power on the island, and noted that on September 26 Trump rejected the possibility of a military operation against Cuba. [ 2 ]
Why it matters
Cuba imports about 60% of its energy and has long relied on Venezuela and Mexico for most of its oil, so a halt puts further pressure on an electricity system that Cuban officials say already delivers power for only two to three hours a day. The case also shows how US tariff threats can shape the trade of third countries with Cuba.
Key facts
- Mexico has stopped supplying fuel to Cuba, with the reason given as the threat of US sanctions against countries and companies shipping crude oil to the island, according to TASS. [ 1 ]
- The halt concerns oil and petroleum products supplied by Mexican state company Pemex, Vedomosti reported, citing the newspaper El Universal. [ 2 ]
- Pemex subsidiary Servicios Logísticos y Recursos Estratégicos did not report Cuba deliveries in the second quarter of 2026, while first-quarter exports were about 900 barrels per day, according to Pemex's report to the US Securities and Exchange Commission. [ 2 , 3 ]
- The change followed a January 29 executive order by US President Donald Trump declaring a state of emergency over Cuba, which provides for tariff measures against companies and governments that supply oil to the island. [ 2 ]
- Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodríguez Parrilla has said that in 2026 residents of the island receive electricity for only two to three hours a day, and Cuban authorities link the worsening energy situation in part to restricted fuel supplies. [ 2 ]
- Cuba imports about 60% of its energy carriers and for a long time received most of its oil from Venezuela and Mexico, Kommersant reported. [ 3 ]
Confirmed by several sources
Still unclear
- Whether Pemex has fully ceased all shipments to Cuba or only stopped declaring them. Vedomosti and Kommersant both report that the absence of data in Pemex's filings does not automatically mean supplies have stopped entirely.
- Whether Cuba continues to receive Mexican oil through other arrangements. Kommersant cites experts as saying Cuba may obtain Mexican oil under other schemes, but gives no confirmation.
- The volumes and payment terms of any remaining Cuban purchases. Vedomosti quotes consultant Gonzalo Monroy as saying information on the volumes and payment of such supplies remains opaque.
- Mexico's position on continued humanitarian oil deliveries to Cuba. Kommersant reports the administration of Claudia Sheinbaum said it would seek to supply oil to Cuba for humanitarian purposes, which sits alongside the reported halt.
- The US measures followed a January 29 executive order by President Donald Trump introducing an emergency regime for Cuba with tariff measures against oil suppliers to the island. Reported by a single source so far
What local media are saying
Timeline, local time
- TASS reports that Mexico has stopped fuel supplies to Cuba because of the threat of US sanctions. [ 1 ]
- Vedomosti reports the halt covers Pemex oil and petroleum products and cites the second-quarter gap in SEC reporting and first-quarter exports of about 900 barrels per day. [ 2 ]
- Kommersant reports Mexico stopped crude supplies under pressure from US President Donald Trump, who threatened higher import tariffs on Mexico. [ 3 ]