Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum expressed deep concern on Friday, warning that US President Donald Trump's threats to impose punitive tariffs on countries that supply Cuba with oil could worsen the humanitarian situation on the Caribbean island. This warning came a day after Trump signed an executive order paving the way for these tariffs, a further escalation of tensions with Havana.
In her remarks, Sheinbaum stressed that “carrying out this threat could trigger a large-scale humanitarian crisis, directly impacting hospitals, food supplies, and other essential services for the Cuban people.” She added that Mexico is closely monitoring the situation, reiterating her country’s support for resolving conflicts through dialogue and diplomacy, not through coercive measures that harm civilians.
Historical background: The US embargo on Cuba
This US move comes within the context of a long history of tension between Washington and Havana, dating back to the aftermath of the 1959 Cuban Revolution. The United States has imposed a comprehensive economic, trade, and financial embargo on Cuba since the early 1960s, aiming to pressure the communist government. This embargo has been tightened over the decades through legislation such as the Helms-Burton Act of 1996, which expanded the embargo to include foreign companies doing business with Cuba.
The Cuban economy relies heavily on oil imports to generate electricity and power transportation and industry. Any disruption to these vital supplies would have an immediate and devastating impact on the daily lives of citizens, exacerbating existing crises related to shortages of food, medicine, and basic goods.
The executive order and its potential repercussions
The executive order signed by Trump on Thursday explicitly states that “additional tariffs may be imposed on imports of goods from foreign countries that directly or indirectly sell or supply Cuba with petroleum.” This measure not only targets Cuba but also puts direct pressure on its trading partners, such as Mexico, Venezuela, and Russia, which are major suppliers of oil to the island.
This decision is expected to spark widespread diplomatic tensions. On the one hand, Latin American countries view it as an infringement on their sovereignty and their right to establish trade relations with whomever they choose. On the other hand, analysts see it as part of a political strategy by the Trump administration aimed at winning the votes of the Cuban-American community in key states like Florida, especially with the presidential election approaching. Further isolating Cuba could lead to new waves of illegal immigration in the region, adding another challenge for neighboring countries, including Mexico and the United States itself.
