The Cuban-American congressman Carlos Giménez harshly criticized the Government of Mexico and its president, Claudia Sheinbaum, for continuing to send oil to Cuba, describing the energy assistance as “a direct support to a murderous dictatorship.”
In statements made to the press in Washington, and after reports that Petróleos Mexicanos (Pemex) canceled a crude oil shipment destined for Cuba, Giménez welcomed Mexico's decision to reconsider the continuation of those shipments, but emphasized that the measure must be definitive.
“I’m glad they’re pulling back their own man and thinking about stopping the shipments, but it’s not enough. I want those shipments to stop, period,” said the Republican lawmaker from Florida.
The congressman, born in Havana, announced that he plans to personally address the issue with President Sheinbaum during her upcoming visit to Mexico City.
“Next week, I expect to see President Sheinbaum in Mexico, and I will reiterate that we want those shipments to stop, because they are supporting a murderous, communist regime that does not believe in democracy and has oppressed its people for 65 years,” he stated.
Giménez emphasized that shipments of subsidized or free crude oil from Mexico to Havana "only serve to bolster the regime of Raúl Castro and Miguel Díaz-Canel", while the Cuban people continue to suffer from blackouts, repression, and widespread shortages. "Why help such a regime?" the lawmaker questioned.
The congressman also recalled that, along with other members of Congress, he has sent letters to the Trump Administration requesting that oil shipments be considered in the trade negotiations with Mexico.
"We have told the administration that this must be on the table. If Mexico wants to maintain a trade agreement with the United States, it cannot simultaneously finance an oppressive regime," he emphasized.
In recent months, reports from the agency Reuters and the portal Argus Media have confirmed that Mexico has sent several shipments of light crude to Cuba, estimated at over 2 million barrels, as part of an energy agreement initiated during the administration of Andrés Manuel López Obrador and continued by Sheinbaum.
However, Mexican diplomatic sources recently indicated that the Government is "reviewing the viability" of continuing those shipments, in light of pressure from Washington and criticism regarding the opaque use of resources by the Cuban regime.
Giménez warned that any attempt to extend the supply of oil to the island could have diplomatic consequences.
"The oil that is sent to Cuba could benefit the people of Mexico and improve its energy security. Instead, they are using it to support a dictatorship that exports misery," he noted.
The Cuban-American legislator reiterated that the position of the U.S. Congress will remain firm as long as the Cuban regime keeps political prisoners and represses its citizens.
"Every barrel of oil that arrives in Havana strengthens a murderous dictatorship. It is time to cut off their supply once and for all," he concluded.
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