Mexico's Pemex Defies Trump's Orders, Pledges Continued Oil Exports to Cuba
Amid mounting pressure from U.S. President Donald Trump, Mexico's state-owned oil company, Pemex, has announced its unwavering commitment to fulfilling its oil supply contract with Cuba. Reuters reported on Wednesday that despite Trump's demands for Mexico to distance itself from Cuba, Pemex CEO Victor Rodriguez Padilla affirmed that the company will continue its oil shipments to the Caribbean nation.
Rodriguez assured that Pemex will maintain its oil deliveries to Cuba as long as there is a steady supply of crude oil available. This decision comes on the heels of a temporary suspension of oil exports to Cuba by Mexico, which President Claudia Sheinbaum attributed to general market fluctuations rather than political pressure from the U.S. government.
Sheinbaum emphasized Pemex's autonomy in managing its contractual obligations with Cuba, stating that the company's decisions are guided by its contractual commitments. She added that the suspension of oil exports was a sovereign decision made when deemed necessary.
However, Trump's executive order, signed last week, threatened punitive tariffs against any country, including Mexico, that continues to supply oil to Cuba. In a heated exchange with reporters, Trump declared that Mexico would cease its oil exports to Cuba, labeling the island nation a 'failed state'.
Following the ouster of Nicolas Maduro in Venezuela, Mexico has emerged as a critical oil supplier to Cuba, which is grappling with a severe energy crisis. While Sheinbaum initially vowed to maintain humanitarian aid to Cuba despite U.S. pressure, recent reports suggest a reevaluation of this policy due to the looming threat of U.S. tariffs.
Pemex has been a key player in Cuba's energy sector, exporting approximately 17,000 to 20,000 barrels per day (bpd) of crude and refined products throughout 2024 and early 2025. These shipments, often referred to as humanitarian aid by the Mexican government, were valued at over $1 billion by late 2025, with a significant portion facilitated by the subsidiary Gasolinas Bienestar.
The oil shipments to Cuba have faced scrutiny due to their subsidized nature and the potential strain on Pemex's financial stability. With high debt levels to its own suppliers and uncertain payment terms, Pemex's oil exports to Cuba have been characterized as aid, raising questions about their long-term sustainability.
