Trump Says Mexico Will Halt Oil Shipments to Cuba as Pressure Campaign Intensifies

Oil supplies have become a key point of leverage as the Trump administration seeks to push communist-led Cuba toward talks and concessions.

Mexican chemical and oil tanker Bicentenario is seen at the Ñico Lopez oil refinery in Havana on June 8, 2023. Yamil Lage/AFP via Getty Images

President Donald Trump said on Feb. 2 that Mexico would stop sending oil to Cuba, escalating a U.S.-led pressure campaign aimed at cutting off the communist-run island’s remaining fuel supplies and pushing Havana toward negotiations.

“Mexico is going to cease sending them oil,” Trump told reporters in the Oval Office, without offering details on timing or enforcement.