Two Mexican Navy vessels carrying humanitarian aid arrived in Cuba on Thursday, as the island faces worsening fuel shortages linked to U.S. sanctions.
The ships arrived about two weeks after U.S. President Donald Trump warned of potential tariffs on any country providing oil to Cuba. Since the announcement, the Cuban government has begun rationing fuel.
Mexico said one ship carried more than 530 tons of food and hygiene products, including milk, rice, beans, meat, canned fish, vegetable oil, and personal items. The second ship delivered about 277 tons of powdered milk.
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum said diplomatic efforts are ongoing to restore oil supplies to Cuba, but humanitarian support will continue. “We will send more support of different kinds,” she said Thursday. She added that Mexico has communicated to U.S. officials that it aims to promote dialogue in accordance with Cuba’s sovereignty.
Petróleos Mexicanos, Mexico’s state-owned oil company, had already suspended shipments of crude oil to Cuba in January, but has not publicly disclosed the reason.
Cuba had previously relied on Venezuelan oil shipments, which ceased in January. Trump’s administration has described his action as part of enforcement measures against Venezuela.
Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel said the U.S. policy amounts to an “energy blockade,” affecting essential services like transportation, health care, education, tourism, and food production.
Earlier this week, Cuban aviation officials warned airlines of limited fuel availability for refueling. In response, Air Canada suspended flights to Cuba, and other carriers added stopovers in the Dominican Republic before continuing to Havana.
The tourism sector, already under strain, is expected to be further impacted. Additional measures include reduced banking hours, canceled cultural events, and fuel limits of 20 liters per vehicle, sold only in U.S. dollars.
Cuban officials estimate that U.S. sanctions imposed since March 2024 have cost the country more than $7.5 billion through February 2025.
