Related videos:
The senator Marko Cortés Mendoza demanded that Claudia Sheinbaum's government urgently explain the shipments of subsidized oil to Cuba, after investigations revealed that Mexico has tripled the crude oil shipments to the island in recent months.
In a statement presented to the Senate, the legislator from the National Action Party (PAN) urged the Secretary of Energy, Luz Elena González, and the director of Petróleos Mexicanos (Pemex), Víctor Rodríguez Padilla, to account for the volumes, routes, costs, and subsidies involved in these operations, which the federal government has labeled as "humanitarian aid."
“They cannot call it humanitarian aid when the Cuban regime has more than a thousand political prisoners, including women and children,” Cortés remarked, citing reports from the organization Prisoners Defenders.
According to the PAN, only between May and August 2025, the subsidiary Gasolinas Bienestar, S.A. de C.V. —created by Pemex to export hydrocarbons to Cuba— would have sent fuel worth over 3 billion dollars, a figure that is three times more than what was dispatched during the last two years of López Obrador's term.
A portion of these shipments was transported on the vessel Sandino, sanctioned by the U.S. Department of the Treasury due to connections with illicit activities, which could expose Mexico to financial and diplomatic sanctions.
Cortés emphasized that the use of public resources to subsidize a foreign regime "lacks moral and economic justification," and called for total transparency regarding the losses of more than 5.8 billion pesos that the subsidiary has reported from fuel shipments to the island.
Criticism from inside and outside Congress
The PAN's call adds to a wave of criticism that has recently been directed at Sheinbaum's government.
The businessman Ricardo Salinas Pliego, owner of TV Azteca, accused the Mexican government of "stealing public money to support the Cuban dictatorial regime", even suggesting that some of those funds could benefit the ruling party Morena.
Meanwhile, the organization Mexicanos Contra la Corrupción y la Impunidad (MCCI) documented that shipments of crude oil and derivatives to Cuba reached "extraordinary" levels despite Pemex's financial losses and its debt of more than 100 billion dollars.
However, the Mexican president acknowledged that her government sends diesel to Cuba and defended the measure as a display of "humanism and solidarity".
“Mexico will always provide humanitarian aid to Cuba and other countries in need. That is our essence”, declared Sheinbaum, stating that agreements are made “with transparency.”
However, the opposition challenges this narrative and denounces that while Mexico is facing internal problems of security, health, and natural disasters, millions of pesos are allocated to financially support a regime accused of human rights violations.
Transparency, sovereignty, and human rights
Senator Cortés warned that the Mexican government cannot "invoke sovereignty" to justify opaque practices or ignore the human rights principles that should guide its foreign policy.
“This money should be allocated to address national priorities, not to finance dictatorships”, concluded the legislator.
The debate over oil shipments to Cuba is set to escalate in the Mexican Congress, intensifying the tension between Sheinbaum’s humanitarian aid rhetoric and accusations of political subsidies to the regime of Miguel Díaz-Canel.
Frequently Asked Questions about Oil Shipments from Mexico to Cuba
Why does Mexico send oil to Cuba?
The government of Mexico, under the presidency of Claudia Sheinbaum, has justified the shipments of oil to Cuba as part of a "humanitarian aid" policy. However, this argument has faced intense criticism, as the opposition and various organizations point out that this support benefits a regime accused of human rights violations and does not align with genuine humanitarian interests.
What implications does sending oil to Cuba have for Mexico?
The shipment of oil to Cuba could lead to financial and diplomatic sanctions for Mexico, particularly due to the use of vessels sanctioned by the United States. Furthermore, these operations have resulted in significant losses for Pemex, which increases pressure on Mexican public finances and raises internal criticism regarding the use of national resources to support another country.
What criticism has the Mexican government received for the oil shipments to Cuba?
The government of Mexico has been criticized for using public resources to support a foreign regime instead of directing them toward domestic needs. The criticism comes from various sectors, including the political opposition, which denounces the lack of transparency in these transactions, and from business leaders who accuse the government of diverting resources to finance the Cuban regime.
What is the role of Gasolinas Bienestar in the oil shipments to Cuba?
Gasolinas Bienestar, S.A. de C.V. is a subsidiary of Pemex created specifically to manage the delivery of hydrocarbons to Cuba. This company has reported losses due to the fuel sent to the island, and its establishment as a private commercial entity has been used as an argument to avoid complying with transparency laws, which has raised criticism regarding the opacity of its operations.
Filed under: