Sheinbaum opens the door to an air bridge with Cuba



Claudia SheinbaumPhoto © Wikimedia Commons

The President of Mexico, Claudia Sheinbaum, stated that her government is willing to facilitate an air bridge to Cuba if Havana formally requests it, amid the energy crisis affecting the Island, which has led to flight cancellations and issues with the supply of aviation fuel.

"If Cuba requests it, those conditions would exist, of course," the leader stated at a press conference, making it clear that the measure would depend on an official request from the Cuban government.

Sheinbaum also emphasized that "flights from Mexican airlines to Cuba are not closed."

The possibility of an airlift adds to other support actions that Mexico has undertaken in recent days in response to the energy challenges facing the Island, which have worsened following the sanctions imposed by the Trump administration.

On Wednesday, Sheinbaum stated that Mexico has not halted humanitarian aid to Cuba and that, in addition to shipments of food and medicines, the Mexican government has provided jet fuel to Cuban aircraft.

"By the way, Mexican flights to the Island have not been suspended; they fuel their turbojet fuel here in the country [Mexico]. It is important for this to be known," stated in comments reported by Informador.

Turbosina, also known as jet fuel, is an aviation fuel derived from petroleum based on kerosene and gasoline, used in gas turbine engines in jets and helicopters.

This supply occurs in a context where the fuel shortage in Cuba has led to adjustments and the suspension of flights by foreign airlines.

In parallel, the president confirmed that Mexico will continue diplomatic efforts to resume oil shipments to the Island, and reiterated her disagreement with the U.S. sanctions that affect this trade.

"You cannot strangle a people like that, it's very unjust, very unjust. So, I call for these sanctions to be lifted and for support for the people to always continue," he expressed.

Sheinbaum also noted that her government is working to prevent potential economic repercussions.

"We are taking all diplomatic actions to prevent tariffs being imposed on Mexico for sending oil to Cuba. We are also making an international appeal to the United States," he indicated, referring to Trump's decree to impose tariffs on countries that export crude to the Island.

This week, Mexico sent two ships loaded with over 814 tons of food and other goods as humanitarian aid to Cuba.

The president announced that a second shipment will be made until a total of 800 tons of food supplies are reached, with the possibility of increasing the volume if additional availability exists.

In addition, it opened the door for civil society organizations to join in the assistance through collections of medications and food, coordinated with the Ministry of the Interior.

The offer of the air bridge takes place against a backdrop of worsening energy conditions on the Island, characterized by prolonged blackouts, fuel shortages, and difficulties in supplying airports.

On Thursday, Sheinbaum reiterated that Mexico is willing to mediate between Cuba and the United States and offered the country as a bridge to facilitate dialogue between the two nations.

He explained that his government has expressed to both the U.S. Department of State and the embassy of that country in Mexico its willingness to contribute to a rapprochement, based on the principle of respect for Cuban sovereignty.

He assured that Mexico "is doing everything it can" to foster a peaceful dialogue and argued that Cuba should be able to receive oil and its derivatives for its daily functioning without sanctions.

For his part, the Cuban ambassador in Mexico, Eugenio Martínez, revealed that flights to the Island from Mexican territory have not been suspended and that airlines are maintaining their usual frequencies.

He did not provide details about the status of fuel supply at Cuban airports or potential future disruptions, only noting that connections from Mexico remain active.

Sheinbaum's announcement reflects the international dimension that the Cuban crisis has reached.

But the backdrop remains the accumulated deterioration of the energy and logistics system on the Island, a result of years of lack of investment, insufficient maintenance, and administrative decisions that have left the population exposed to recurrent blackouts and an increasingly precarious functioning of essential services.

While Mexico deploys ships, offers fuel, and opens the possibility of an airlift, the internal situation in Cuba continues to reveal a structural fragility that cannot be resolved with emergency measures, but instead has deep roots in the management of the country's economic and energy model.

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CiberCuba Editorial Team

A team of journalists committed to reporting on Cuban current affairs and topics of global interest. At CiberCuba, we work to deliver truthful news and critical analysis.