MEXICO CITY (AP).— As Cuba is rocked by blackouts and a deepening energy crisis, Mexico has sent almost half a million barrels of crude oil and diesel in just a few days to its main Caribbean ally, according to data that The Associated Press had access to yesterday Thursday.
The island has been able to function for years thanks to the arrival of Russian and Venezuelan fuel, but when those shipments ran out, Mexico has become one of the island’s few lifelines.
“Mexico is now key because, as you know, Venezuela has stopped supplying oil to Cuba and Russian oil is nowhere to be found,” explained Jorge Piñón, a senior researcher at the Energy Center who tracks shipments using oil tracking services and satellite technology.
That is why now its fuel shipments “are extremely important,” added the academic.
Some 412,000 barrels of Pemex crude oil arrived in the city of Cienfuegos between Wednesday night and Thursday morning, according to data compiled by Piñón.
Another 67,000 barrels of what appears to be diesel were shipped Wednesday night and are scheduled to arrive in Santiago de Cuba early next week. These shipments, worth approximately $31 million, are in addition to the $300 million in fuel sent by Mexico to Cuba since the beginning of 2023, Piñón said.
The supply stopped for six months, when Mexico was immersed in the entire electoral process, but after the inauguration of Claudia Sheinbaum as president, the oil flowed again.
The Mexican president, when asked about this issue yesterday Thursday in her press conference, did not offer details and answered in a generic way that Mexico will continue to help the island.
“We are going to support Cuba for humanitarian reasons,” he indicated. “Even if there is criticism, we are going to be supportive.”
The recent shipments represent a small fraction of the oil that Mexico produces in a day, between 1.6 and 1.8 million barrels. For Cuba, the amount is insufficient to overcome the energy deficit in which the country lives. The Cuban government did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
This supply comes at an extremely delicate time for Cuba. Large-scale blackouts at the beginning of the month left millions of residents—already hit hard by the economic crisis—without electricity for days.
The Cuban government has had to face existing frustrations and some protests after drastically raising the price of gasoline, which further affected the economy of Cubans who have difficulty acquiring the most basic foods, such as eggs or chicken. .
The Cuban government blames its woes on the embargo imposed by the United States, but Cuba’s electrical grid is in poor condition and the country’s government has not invested in alternative energy such as solar for a long time, despite the abundance of sunshine. As a result, the main energy source has been fossil fuels.
The government depended for a long time on its great ally in the region, Venezuela, until this country was also plunged into a deep crisis, not only economic but also political and social. In recent years, Cuba has relied on Russia, which just two years ago sent hundreds of millions of dollars in fuel, which was a great relief for the Cuban government and helped Vladimir Putin’s government avoid international sanctions imposed by Russia. his invasion of Ukraine. But much of that support ended.
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**Interview with Jorge Piñón, Senior Researcher at the Energy Center**
**Editor:** Thank you for joining us, Jorge. The recent surge in oil shipments from Mexico to Cuba has been significant. Can you explain why these deliveries are so vital for Cuba right now?
**Jorge Piñón:** Thank you for having me. The situation in Cuba is quite dire due to ongoing blackouts and a severe energy crisis. Historically, Cuba relied heavily on fuel imports from Russia and Venezuela, but with those pipelines drying up, Mexico has stepped in as a crucial supplier. Without these recent shipments from Mexico, Cuba would face even more severe energy challenges.
**Editor:** You mentioned that Mexico’s support is critical since the other sources have ceased. Can you elaborate on how this shift occurred?
**Jorge Piñón:** Certainly. Venezuela, which used to provide a steady supply of oil to Cuba, has stopped its shipments. Additionally, Russian oil supplies have become unpredictable and scarce. Therefore, with these alliances fading, Mexico has become one of the few remaining lifelines for the island. The recent shipments of over 412,000 barrels of crude oil and additional diesel reflect this new dependency.
**Editor:** The economic implications of these shipments are substantial, particularly with Cuba’s financial struggles. How does Mexico benefit from this arrangement?
**Jorge Piñón:** It’s a complex relationship. For Mexico, maintaining ties with Cuba can enhance diplomatic relations in the region. Additionally, it opens up markets for Pemex, the state-owned oil company. Moreover, providing assistance to Cuba aligns with Mexico’s broader foreign policy goals of regional solidarity, especially under President Claudia Sheinbaum’s leadership.
**Editor:** You noted that there was a halt in shipments for about six months. What factors influenced the resumption of oil exports from Mexico to Cuba?
**Jorge Piñón:** The pause in shipments coincided with Mexico’s electoral processes, where political priorities shifted focus. With the inauguration of President Claudia Sheinbaum, there has been a renewed emphasis on Caribbean alliances and economic support, leading to a resumption of fuel exports to Cuba, which were previously paused due to these political transitions.
**Editor:** As the situation develops, what do you see as the future of the energy relationship between Mexico and Cuba?
**Jorge Piñón:** As long as Cuba continues to face energy shortages and the geopolitical landscape remains unchanged, Mexico will likely remain a key supplier. However, this relationship could evolve further if other regional players decide to step in or if Cuba finds alternative sources. It’s crucial to watch how these dynamics unfold in the coming months, especially given Cuba’s ongoing challenges and Mexico’s political landscape.
**Editor:** Thank you for your insights, Jorge. Your expertise sheds light on a critical issue that impacts both nations significantly.
**Jorge Piñón:** Thank you. I’m glad to provide context on this important topic.
