Yet another diplomatic standoff is evolving, placing Mexico squarely in the middle of the U.S. campaign to pressure Cuba’s leaders into historic political change.
A January 29 executive order signed by President Donald Trump—imposing tariffs on countries supplying oil to the island—has forced Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum into a precarious balancing act, navigating between principles of sovereignty, historical solidarity and immense economic pressure from its northern neighbor.
Trump framed the move as necessary to counter an “unusual and extraordinary threat,” citing Cuba’s alliances with U.S. adversaries. The clear intent is to ratchet up economic pressure, aiming to force the Cuban government to negotiate a deal on U.S. terms.
For Cuba, already grappling with a deep energy crisis, the threat is acute. The island has minimal domestic oil production and relies heavily on imports. After the U.S. intervention in Venezuela, Mexico had become a critical supplier, providing a lifeline through shipments from the state-owned oil company Pemex.
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