The President of the United States, Donald Trump, insisted on Monday that it was he who directly asked the President of Mexico, Claudia Sheinbaum, to stop the oil shipments to Cuba, and he stated that the Mexican leader "fulfilled" his request.
"I told the President of Mexico that we didn't want them to send oil there, and she doesn't send oil," Trump stated, highlighting Sheinbaum's cooperation and emphasizing that the Cuban regime "no longer has money, oil, or allies to support it."
During his statements, the leader reiterated that Cuba is a "failed nation" and pointed out that the island is facing its "worst moment in decades" after losing energy support from Venezuela.
Additionally, he sent a direct message to the Cuban-American community in the United States, assuring them that his government "wants to care for the people who fled from the dictatorship and who dream of seeing their families again."
Trump also confirmed that he is in talks with senior officials of the Cuban regime to assess a possible agreement that, he said, could be "close" to being finalized.
“We are currently negotiating with the leaders of Cuba. I believe we are quite close,” he stated.
The president has reiterated that any negotiation with Havana will start from a position of strength and that his goal is to "end the oil embargo only if the regime changes its course and restores freedom to the Cuban people."
Trump's statements stand in stark contrast to the announcement made this Sunday by Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum, who informed that her government is preparing to send humanitarian aid to Cuba—including food, medicine, and basic supplies—but denied having spoken with Trump about oil.
However, he clarified that they are trying to resolve the issues related to the supply of oil to the Island through diplomatic means.
"We never spoke with President Trump about the issue of oil with Cuba," Sheinbaum clarified from Sonora, while defending Mexico's right to maintain an independent foreign policy focused on the "humanitarian relief of the Cuban people."
The contradiction between both versions reflects the climate of diplomatic tension surrounding the energy issue in the Caribbean, at a time when Washington is toughening its policy towards the Havana regime and seeking to economically isolate it to force a democratic transition.
Filed under: