The United States’ control of Venezuelan oil has led to Cuba’s increased dependence on Mexican oil, a situation that could strain bilateral relations between Mexico and its northern neighbor, according to experts consulted by Noticias Telemundo.
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum addressed the issue this Wednesday at her daily press conference, in response to data published by the Financial Times (FT) that places Mexico as the main exporter of oil to Cuba, accounting for 44% of the island’s total imports by 2025. This would displace Venezuela, whose crude represents 34% of what the Castro regime receives.
“At this moment, Cuba depends on Mexico in terms of energy [but] Mexico no longer has as much oil,” said Gonzalo Monroy, an energy expert.
“No more oil is being sent than has been sent historically,” Sheinbaum asserted, describing the shipments as humanitarian aid under Mexican foreign policy.
“Of course, with the current situation in Venezuela, Mexico has obviously become an important supplier; before, it was Venezuela.” “But it’s part of, let’s say, what has historically been sent,” he asserted.
However, experts say that Mexico is currently like Cuba’s burning energy candle, a country that has been struggling for years with fuel and infrastructure problems that cause blackouts, and where the already battered economy, affected by issues such as the US embargo, could collapse completely if it stops receiving oil.
Venezuela used to send three or four tankers a month to Cuba, totaling 30,000 to 35,000 barrels a day. “That’s why it’s so important; it represents 50% of Cuba’s oil deficit,” Jorge Piñón, an energy expert at the University of Texas, told NBC News. The rest was supplied by Russia and Mexico, the network added.
According to the Financial Times, citing data from the analysis firm Kpler, Mexico exported 12,284 barrels of oil per day to Cuba last year, representing a 56% increase in exports to the island compared to the previous year. 2024.
Neither Petróleos Mexicanos (Pemex) nor the Mexican government responded to Noticias Telemundo’s request for data on oil exports to Cuba in 2025 to confirm or deny the newspaper’s report.
“Right now, Cuba depends on Mexico for its energy,” explains Gonzalo Monroy, an energy expert and director of Grupo Mexicano de Energía y Consultoría.
“It has no other option,” Monroy added, noting that Cuba’s traditional allies have adopted different positions regarding fuel. “Ecuador has a government that is no longer as friendly to Cuba; it no longer has an ally in Russia due to sanctions on its oil industry; while Venezuela, practically taken over by the United States, will be able to sell oil to Cuba, but at market prices and no longer as donations or discounts,” Monroy said.
Source: telemundo
