The US Government will allow Mexico to continue sending oil to Cuba, despite recent threats from President Donald Trump to completely cut off the supply of crude oil to the islandaccording to the US Secretary of Energy, Chris Wright, in an interview with the network C.B.S..
According to Wright, the Washington’s current policy is to “allow” Mexico to continue supplying oil to Cuba. The information was confirmed by CBS Newswhich also cited another US official who supported that position.
The statements contrast with the message published on Sunday by Trump on his social networks, where he assured that “there will be no more oil or money for Cuba: zero,” at least as far as Venezuela is concerned.
A US Administration official, cited by C.B.S. under condition of anonymity, He pointed out that Washington does not want Cuba to collapse due to lack of fuelalthough he does hope that the country “abandons its communist system.”
In the midst of this scenario, the Cuban president, Miguel Díaz-Canel, assured that currently There are no conversations with the Trump Governmentbeyond contacts limited to immigration matters.
The island’s energy situation has become more delicate after the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, which left Cuba exposed to a negative impact due to the brake on bilateral relations with Venezuela, one of its main energy partners, he noted. EFE.
Mexico proposes mediating between Cuba and the US
For her part, the president of Mexico, Claudia Sheinbaum, stated this Monday that her Government could serve as a “communication vehicle” between the United States and Cuba.
However, he clarified that this issue was not discussed in his recent conversation with Trump and that Any mediation role would depend on the acceptance of both parties.
Nor did it transcend if the supply of oil from Mexico to Cuba was discussed, according to the CBS News.
Tensions between Washington and Havana have increased after the newspaper Financial Times reported that Mexico has become Cuba’s main supplier of crude oil.
Last week, however, Sheinbaum maintained that “more oil is not being sent than had been sent historically” and rejected the existence of “a particular shipment.”
Oil tanker arrives in Havana with nearly 86 thousand barrels of fuel from Mexico
In this context, last Friday a oil tanker with about 86 thousand barrels of fuel from Mexico.
The shipment would be destined to alleviate the prolonged blackouts that affect large areas of the country, according to the agency. EFE citing data from the University of Texas Energy Institute.
According to official figures, Cuba needs around 110 thousand barrels of fuel per day to cover its basic energy needs, of which about 40 thousand are produced internally.
Imported fuel represents close to 60% of national consumption and more than half is used to power thermoelectric plants.
Independent studies indicate that, in recent years, Mexico and Venezuela have been the main suppliers of hydrocarbons to Cuba, with a minor participation from Russia.
