Mexico's Response to Trump Administration's Latest Attack on Cuba
Ships carrying humanitarian aid from Mexico arrive in Havana harbour, February 12, 2026
President Claudia Sheinbaum Seeks Diplomatic Channels and
Different Ways to Support Cuba
In
response to the Trump administrations latest attack on Cuba, Mexican
President Claudia Sheinbaum warned on January 30 that U.S. President
Donald Trump's move to impose tariffs on goods from any country that
sells oil to Cuba could trigger a "far-reaching humanitarian crisis."
Sheinbaum stressed that these coercive measures will impact sectors such as health and food in Cuba. "Lack of fuel directly affects hospitals and basic services, a situation that must be avoided through dialogue and respect for international law," she said.
In 2025, Mexico became the main supplier of crude oil to Cuba. Now, faced with the possibility of Mexico being subject to U.S. tariffs, the government has instructed Foreign Minister Juan Ramón de la Fuente to engage in an immediate dialogue with the U.S. State Department to find out the technical scope of Trump's decree and work out how to avoid the crisis.
Sheinbaum added that Mexico wants "to look for diplomatic channels and different ways of supporting [Cuba ...] without putting Mexico at risk."
Recently, the Mexican president affirmed that the shipment of oil to Cuba is a sovereign decision of the Mexican State, aimed at mitigating the effects of the economic blockade imposed by the United States.
She has also repeatedly pointed out that Mexico's solidarity towards the Cuban people is not recent, but has been maintained for years in the face of the problems of shortages caused by the U.S. embargo.
On February 1, Sheinbaum said that Mexico will continue to attempt to send oil to Cuba on humanitarian grounds through diplomatic means.
Mexico Sends Humanitarian Aid to the People of Cuba
Aboard Two Mexican Navy Vessels
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued the following statement on February 8, 2026
The people of Mexico maintain their tradition of solidarity with the peoples of Latin America and particularly with the people of Cuba. Our country has always provided aid to sister nations in need, and in recent months we have sent assistance to various countries requiring our support during the wildfires in California and Chile, the floods in Texas, and the tragedies caused by natural disasters in several nations of the continent.
In
the same spirit, following the instructions of the President of Mexico,
Dr. Claudia Sheinbaum, the Ministry of the Navy reports that the
Mexican Navy is sending humanitarian aid to Cuba aboard the logistical
support vessels Papaloapan and Isla Holbox. Both ships are setting
sail today from the port of Veracruz carrying a cargo of more than 814 tons of provisions destined for the people of Cuba.
The provisions from the Central Naval Region were gathered at the dock of the National Port System Administration (Asipona) in Veracruz, where they were loaded onto the ships.
The Papaloapan is transporting 536 tons of essential food items, including milk, meat products, crackers, beans, rice, tuna, sardines, and vegetable oil, as well as personal hygiene products. The Isla Holbox has been loaded with just over 277 tons of powdered milk.
The Papaloapan departed from Veracruz this morning at 8:00 AM and the Isla Holbox at noon. They are expected to arrive in Cuba in four days. More than 1,500 tons of powdered milk and beans remain to be sent.
Through these actions, the Government of Mexico reaffirms the humanistic principles and spirit of solidarity that guide it, and its commitment to international cooperation among peoples, especially with those who require humanitarian assistance in situations of emergency and vulnerability. Cuba and Mexico are sister nations, heirs to a long history of solidarity that we honour today.
Havana, February 12, 2026
This article was published in
Volume 56 Number 4 - February 13, 2026
Article Link:
https://cpcml.ca/TML2026/Articles/T5600420.HTM
Website: www.cpcml.ca Email: editor@cpcml.ca