Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum announced new shipments of humanitarian aid to Cuba after US President Donald Trump threatened to impose additional tariffs on countries that supply oil to the socialist Caribbean nation.
"This week we plan to send humanitarian aid to Cuba in the form of food and other essential products, while we are discussing through diplomatic channels the possibility of sending oil for humanitarian reasons," Sheinbaum said at an event in the city of Guaymas, in the northwestern Mexican state of Sonora.
She added that preparations for the delivery of aid and basic necessities for the Cuban population are already underway.
Sheinbaum noted that she has not yet discussed the situation in Cuba directly with Donald Trump, who has threatened countries that export oil to Havana with additional trade measures. Mexico is one of Cuba's largest oil suppliers, but also one of the United States' most important trading partners.
Severe humanitarian and energy crisis
Mexico's president warned on Friday that Cuba was facing a serious humanitarian crisis . According to media reports, Mexico has already reduced oil shipments to Cuba in recent days under pressure from the United States, although there has been no official confirmation of this.
"Until a diplomatic solution is reached, Mexico will continue to supply other vital products," Sheinbaum announced.
Pope Leo XIV also expressed concern about the situation, calling for "sincere and effective dialogue" between the responsible parties in order to avoid violence and prevent further suffering for the Cuban people.
Frequent power outages and economic collapse
Cuba regularly experiences long-term power outages due to its aging power grid and chronic oil shortages. Many parts of the country are without electricity for 12 hours a day or more.
The Caribbean island is currently going through one of its worst economic crises since 1959, when Fidel Castro's regime was established after a revolution.
