Havana/Mexico is about to resume shipping oil to Cuba. According to the president, Claudia Sheinbaum, it will be through “private companies that have permission to transport the fuel,” after Washington issued licenses in February for the sale of fuel to the Island.
The Mexican president stressed during her morning conference this Monday that work has been underway on this scheme for some time and “we hope that it can be resumed commercially soon,” in addition to specifying that “it is not a humanitarian issue.”
Sheinbaum explained that the commercial part occurs with “the new characteristics approved by the Congress and the Government of Cuba, since from there there could be a greater commercial relationship with Mexican businessmen.”
Last Friday, the Mexican president considered that the economic reforms approved by the Cuban regime represent an “important change.” The president’s enthusiasm contrasts with the position of the United States, which described the measures adopted as “smoke signals” and called for much deeper political and economic changes.
The 176 measures, according to Sheinbaum, open the door to investment “even calling on Cubans who left the Island a long time ago to invest in Cuba.” The Government of Mexico called on businessmen who want to invest in the Island to contact the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Pemex reported that in 2025, through its subsidiary Gasolina Bienestar, it exported 15,000 barrels of crude oil and 2,200 barrels of oil derivatives to Cuba per day.
Pemex reported that in 2025through its subsidiary Gasolina Bienestar, exported to Cuba 15,000 barrels of crude oil and 2,200 barrels of oil derivatives per day for a total value of 500 million dollars. According to the company, they represented 3.1% of total exports and 1.8% of derivatives.
In its 2024 report, Gasolinas de Bienestar recorded the export of 20,100 barrels per day of crude oil and 2,700 barrels per day of its derivatives for a value of 600 million dollars. Between July and December 2023, 16,800 barrels of crude oil per day and 3,300 barrels of derivatives were shipped, worth $400 million.
According to the oil company, sales are made through contracts denominated in pesos at current market rates. In addition, it was specified that as of March 31, 2026, Gasolina Bienestar changed its name to Servicios Logísticos Integrales Mumiya.
On January 29, United States sanctions on fuel in Cuba have been significantly tightened to block the supply of hydrocarbons to the Island and put pressure on the regime. On January 9, the Ocean Mariner with about 80,000 barrels.
US sanctions on fuel in Cuba have been significantly tightened to block the supply of hydrocarbons to the Island and put pressure on the regime
The same ship tried to circumvent the oil siege, on February 10, which had been imposed by the United States a few days ago, to take a cargo to the island, after having declared that its destination was the Dominican Republic. Heading towards Dominican waters, that day changed course towards Cuba. A day later, just 106 kilometers from the island, it made a sharp U-turn, according to data from Kpler, a maritime transportation data company. According to the New York Times“he seemed to have realized that he was being pursued.”
The next day, a United States Coast Guard ship, the stoneapproached the tanker to ask the Ocean Mariner where he was going. The answer was that it was headed toward the Dominican Republic, despite being well off course, according to a U.S. official. Given the suspicious maneuver, the Coast Guard sailed alongside the tanker for almost two days and escorted it to Dominican waters, where it remained for several days without unloading the fuel.
Since then, Mexico focused on sending ships with humanitarian aid, mostly food and essential products. Sheinbaum reiterated that “it will be fraternal and supportive, with all the nations of the world and particularly with Cuba.”
