U.S. President Donald Trump caught Mexico off guard with an unexpected executive order threatening tariffs on nations supplying oil to Cuba, Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum revealed on Friday. Speaking at a press briefing in Tijuana, Sheinbaum mentioned that Trump did not discuss Cuba during their recent phone call, but the executive order was issued later in the day.
Sheinbaum expressed her surprise and stated that she had instructed her foreign relations secretary to gather more information from the U.S. State Department regarding the sudden tariff threat. The executive order signed by Trump, which was released on Thursday evening, warned of imposing tariffs on countries providing oil to Cuba without specifying the tariff amounts.
Following the recent developments in Venezuela, where the oil industry has been significantly influenced by the United States, Mexico has become Cuba’s primary oil supplier. Sheinbaum warned that cutting off oil shipments to Cuba could result in a severe humanitarian crisis on the island, affecting essential services like hospitals, electricity, and food supply.
Acknowledging the challenging situation in Cuba, Sheinbaum emphasized the need to avoid risking Mexico with potential tariffs. Mexico’s oil exports to Cuba, facilitated through its state-owned company, have been declining, with recent reports indicating a reduction from about 17,000 barrels per day in 2025 to approximately 7,000 barrels per day this month.
Veronica Ayala from Mexicans Against Corruption and Impunity raised concerns about the lack of transparency in Mexico’s oil shipments to Cuba, noting that all exports have been halted temporarily. The slowdown in oil shipments began in late 2025, coinciding with increased scrutiny from U.S. lawmakers on Mexico’s oil relations with Cuba.
Matías Gómez Léautaud, a Latin America analyst with Eurasia Group, highlighted Mexico’s historical ties with Cuba and the current challenges posed by the Trump administration’s tariff threats. He emphasized that Mexico is navigating a complex situation amidst ongoing trade negotiations and bilateral security issues.
The unfolding events have placed Mexico in a delicate position, potentially impacting its relations not only with Cuba but also shaping its future trajectory.