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The oil shipments from Mexico to Cuba in 2025 accounted for nearly 17% of the island's energy needs, a crucial volume amid the severe fuel crisis that exacerbates daily blackouts in the country.
The state-owned Petróleos Mexicanos (Pemex) exported 15,000 barrels per day (bpd) of crude oil and 2,200 bpd of petroleum products last year, totaling 17,200 bpd, according to data reported by the company itself to the United States Securities Commission and cited by Reuters. These sales reached an approximate value of 500 million dollars.
Mexican shipments had already been growing since the previous year. Between January and September 2024, Pemex exported to Cuba oil and derivatives worth around 500 million dollars, with an average of over 31,000 barrels of crude oil per day and about 2,900 barrels of petroleum products, confirming Mexico's role as one of the main energy suppliers to the island amid the decline of Venezuelan supplies.
If we compare it to the estimated consumption in Cuba—around 100,000 bpd—the Mexican supply covers approximately one-sixth of the national demand. Annually, this amounts to about 6.3 million barrels, against a total need of nearly 36.5 million.
The information takes on particular significance in the current context. Following the interruption of Venezuelan crude oil shipments in early 2026, Mexico has established itself as one of the main suppliers to the island. The loss of energy support from Caracas has deepened the vulnerability of the Cuban electrical system, characterized by structural deficits and frequent generation failures.
Although the volume sent by Pemex does not cover the entire demand, its weight is crucial in the delicate energy balance of the country. Cuba relies heavily on fuel imports, while its domestic production only meets a limited part of its needs.
Mexican exports also have political implications. The President of the United States, Donald Trump, has warned of possible tariffs on countries that supply oil to Cuba, which adds pressure to the government of Claudia Sheinbaum, which has defended these shipments as humanitarian aid.
This situation is compounded by the financial cost of these shipments. Pemex has accumulated a debt of over 300 million dollars related to the supply of oil to Cuba in recent years, according to an investigation based on official records.
The operations, largely managed through the subsidiary Gasolinas Bienestar, have led to losses and increased the debt of the Mexican oil company, raising concerns about the sustainability of maintaining this support amid its own economic challenges.
In a situation of ongoing scarcity, that 17% does not resolve the crisis, but it does help to prevent an even greater energy collapse on the island.
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