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The National Institute for Transparency, Access to Information, and Protection of Personal Data (INAI) has determined that Pemex (Petróleos Mexicanos) must disclose information regarding the fuel shipments to Cuba that took place during the administration of Andrés Manuel López Obrador and the first month of the government of Claudia Sheinbaum.
The resolution, adopted unanimously on January 15, 2025, requires the state-owned oil company to provide details on the amount of fuel shipped, its market value, shipping and receiving dates, names and titles of those responsible, significant commercial conditions, as well as the corresponding budget allocation.
The resolution from INAI came after a requester filed a complaint with the organization because Pemex had replied that countries, entities, foreign companies, or institutions are not considered potential beneficiaries of donations of petroleum products, which is why they did not find the requested documentation.
However, the request included links to quotes in which President López Obrador himself spoke about these shipments.
The presentation by the president commissioner of INAI, Adrián Alcalá Méndez, found that, according to regulatory provisions, foreign countries or organizations can indeed receive donations from Pemex "as long as it is in the interest of the state-owned company or pertains to humanitarian aid within the framework of treaties or agreements signed by the federal government."
Furthermore, Alcalá Méndez concluded that Pemex had only forwarded the request to two of its administrative units and failed to consult other competent areas, resulting in a restrictive response that undermines the right to access information.
"The search criterion used by the consulted administrative units cannot be validated, as the information provided does not correspond with the regulations that are intended to justify the absence of the information," he noted.
Background and controversy surrounding oil shipments to Cuba
In 2023, the relationship between Mexico and Cuba regarding crude oil shipments gained international attention when the U.S. government
In response to these accusations, the government of López Obrador categorically denied having gifted crude oil to Cuba and asserted that all shipments were made under legitimate and transparent trade agreements.
According to reports from specialized media, Mexico sent oil to Cuba worth 200 million dollars during the year 2023, amidst an energy crisis exacerbated by the reduction of shipments from Venezuela, the island's main supplier. These supplies have been referred to as a "lifeline" for Havana, helping to mitigate the effects of the energy collapse.
Over the years, the bilateral relations between Mexico and Cuba have been characterized by a continuous flow of aid that goes beyond just fuel. Recent investigations revealed that the Mexican government also reportedly sent tons of equipment and supplies to Cuba without the terms of these agreements being clearly established.
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