Trump: Mexico Will Stop Sending Oil to Cuba After Tariff Threat
In a controversial move, U.S. President Donald Trump announced yesterday, Monday, that Mexico will stop sending oil to Cuba, following the United States' threat to impose tariffs on countries supplying oil to the Caribbean island.
Trump said during a press conference from the Oval Office:
"Cuba is a failed state. Mexico will stop sending oil to it," indicating that this step is part of U.S. pressure on Havana.
Cuba's economy, which has relied on cheap Venezuelan oil supplies for years, is currently facing its most severe crisis since the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991, amid repeated power outages and long lines at gas stations.
Trump signed an executive order on Thursday threatening to impose tariffs on countries that continue to send oil to Cuba, while Havana accuses Washington of trying to suffocate its economy.
For her part, Mexico's President Claudia Sheinbaum confirmed on Sunday her intention to send humanitarian aid to Cuba, including food and essential products, while seeking a mechanism to continue supplying oil despite U.S. threats.
She said after a phone conversation with Trump: "We never discussed the issue of oil for Cuba with President Trump,"
while Trump confirmed from the Oval Office :
"I think we are very close to an agreement, but we are dealing with the Cuban leaders now" without revealing additional details.
In contrast, Cuban Deputy Foreign Minister Carlos Fernández de Cossío explained to AFP that there is an exchange of messages between Cuba and the United States, but there are no official talks, adding:
"There is no dialogue in the literal sense of the word at the moment, but messages have been exchanged."
