Sheinbaum Defends Mexico's Right to Send Oil to Cuba Despite Trump Tariff Threat

At her Monday mañanera, President Sheinbaum stated Mexico has 'every right' to send oil to Cuba, whether for humanitarian or commercial purposes, directly challenging Trump's January 2026 executive order (EO 14380) threatening tariffs on any country supplying oil to Havana. Sheinbaum confirmed Pemex is working to restore crude supplies to Cuba — which had been cut to roughly 7,000 barrels per day from a peak of ~19,200 bpd — after sustained pressure from U.S. Secretary of State Rubio. On the same day, a Russian oil tanker carrying 100,000 tonnes arrived in Havana; Trump told reporters he had 'no problem' with the Russian delivery. Sheinbaum personally confirmed a 20,000-peso donation (~US$1,100) to a Cuba humanitarian fund, made 'as Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo, not as President.' The episode underscored Mexico's positioning as an independent actor defending Cuban sovereignty despite bilateral tariff tensions.