The Cuban government is working with Mexico to resume fuel shipments to the island, which were suspended in 2026 amid trade pressures from the United States.
Thus assured this Tuesday the ambassador of Cuba in Mexico, Eugenio Martínez Enríquez, although he did not provide a date for the resumption of supply.
In an interview given to the EFE agency, the diplomat highlighted the relations between both governments and confirmed that efforts are underway to recover the interrupted energy agreements.
"I don't use the term ally because it's not typical in our political language, but we do talk about a brother country with which we have excellent relations. And work is being done to resume those energy shipments," Martínez stated.
The ambassador explained that the supply was conducted through a commercial agreement between a Cuban company and Petróleos Mexicanos (Pemex), Mexico's state oil company.
“Indeed, through a commercial agreement between a Cuban company and Pemex, fuels were exported to Cuba. Cuba regularly paid for those fuels, and that agreement was halted,” he noted.
Martínez acknowledged that the island stopped receiving fuel from Mexico during this year, although he stated that he is unaware of the exact date of the interruption.
"Therefore, we do not receive fuels in Cuba sent from Mexico. I can't specify the exact date, but they stopped sending it this year," he stated.
His statements represent an acknowledgment of the shutdown of Mexican supply, which had been one of Cuba's main energy supports during 2025.
The suspension occurred while Washington was increasing pressure on the countries supplying oil to the Cuban government, especially following the interruption of Venezuelan supplies in early 2026.
The U.S. president, Donald Trump, announced in January tariff measures against countries that supply oil to Cuba, raising concerns in Mexico about the potential trade consequences.
The ambassador did not confirm that Mexico has authorized new shipments nor specified when they might arrive on the island. He also did not provide information on quantities, prices, or conditions for a potential new agreement.
Martínez highlighted, however, that bilateral cooperation continues in other sectors, such as agriculture and health.
He mentioned the shipment of Mexican fertilizers to support food production in Cuba and the presence of Cuban doctors in rural municipalities in Mexico.
The diplomat defended the relationship between the two governments and assured that bilateral solidarity remains intact despite political differences and international pressures.
From oil shipments to suspension: what has happened in 2026?
The energy relationship between Mexico and Cuba underwent a significant change starting in January 2026, when the Mexican Government began to review fuel shipments in response to pressures from Washington.
On January 23, it was reported that Mexico was considering suspending oil exports to the island due to fears of economic retaliation from the Trump administration.
Three days later, Pemex removed a shipment of oil destined for Cuba from its schedule, which was supposed to be transported on the vessel Swift Galaxy.
On January 29, Trump signed an executive order allowing for additional tariffs on products from countries that supply oil to Cuba, either directly or indirectly.
President Sheinbaum initially defended that Mexican oil operations were based on sovereign decisions and trade agreements, but the supply was interrupted.
On February 9, the leader confirmed that the shipments were halted while her government sought alternatives to assist Cuba without triggering U.S. trade sanctions.
On February 17, Sheinbaum announced that Mexico would not be sending oil to Cuba "for the time being", although it would continue supplying food and other humanitarian products.
On February 20, Washington eliminated the additional tariff mechanism established weeks earlier. However, the change did not result in a resumption of Mexican shipments.
During March, Mexico continued to send humanitarian assistance. On the 23rd, Sheinbaum announced another ship with food and basic supplies for the Cuban population, as part of a series of deliveries that did not imply the reinstatement of oil agreements.
On May 11, the president ruled out shipments of oil again and pointed out that Cuba was receiving fuel from Russia. She explained that Mexico would focus its collaboration on other humanitarian needs.
In June, Sheinbaum confirmed that humanitarian aid would continue without reactivating the oil supply. She also indicated that the possibility for authorized private companies to transport fuel to Cuba was being considered, although that option was not yet operational.
The financial reports from Pemex showed a significant reduction in operations with the island.
During the first quarter of 2026, the oil company reported petroleum product exports averaging 900 barrels per day, compared to the 17,200 barrels per day recorded as an average in 2025.
On August 17, an analysis of bilateral trade revealed that Mexican exports of mineral products to Cuba had collapsed, with a nearly 99.9% drop in June compared to the same month the previous year.
On October 6th, it was reported that Pemex had not recorded new fuel sales to Cuba between April and June 2026, according to the comparison of reports submitted to the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).
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