Mexico's president said Friday that her government intends to deliver humanitarian assistance to Cuba by Monday, emphasizing the priority of providing food and other basic items to the island.
At her routine morning press briefing she stated, "We are planning to send this aid either this weekend or on Monday at the latest." The announcement framed the shipment as an immediate, concrete response to humanitarian needs.
Separately, the president said the government is engaged in diplomatic efforts to restore oil flows to Cuba. Mexico halted deliveries of crude and refined products to the island in mid-January amid pressure from the United States.
Washington later threatened to impose tariffs on countries that continue to supply oil to Cuba, asserting that the Cuban government represents an "extraordinary threat" to U.S. national security - a characterization that Cuba has rejected. The president acknowledged the sensitivity of the situation, saying Mexico does not want to face sanctions and that dialogue is ongoing.
She added that for the moment the administration will proceed with sending humanitarian aid while talks continue. Sources told the news agency this week that Mexican officials are seeking mechanisms to deliver fuel to Cuba to address immediate needs without provoking the threatened U.S. tariffs.
At this stage it is unclear whether those efforts will produce a viable workaround. Officials are reported to be exploring options, but the article's sourcing made clear the outcome remains uncertain.
Context and immediate measures
The government's stated immediate measure is the dispatch of food and basic supplies within the coming days. The president described the delivery timeframe as either this weekend or by Monday at the latest and framed it as the administration's current practical response while diplomatic work continues.
Diplomatic and commercial tensions
Mexico's suspension of oil shipments occurred in mid-January under U.S. pressure. Subsequent U.S. warnings about tariffs on third-party suppliers of Cuban fuel have shaped Mexico's options and prompted the government to pursue dialogue to avoid sanctions.
Unresolved outcome
Sources indicate efforts are underway to find ways to send fuel without triggering U.S. retaliation, but the article notes that whether Mexico will succeed remains uncertain.