Mexico's State-Run Oil Company Reportedly Stops Shipment To Cuba Amid Pressure From Trump Admin

Mexico's state-run oil company Pemex stopped a shipment to Cuba scheduled for this month amid pressure from the Trump administration, which is reportedly seeking to achieve regime change in the island.

Bloomberg reported that the shipment from Pemex was supposed to go out this month and arrive to Cuba before the end of January.

Even though it's not clear the exact reason for the stopping of the shipment, the development comes after a report from Reuters detailing that Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum was reviewing whether to continue with them.

The president had said in public that the country will continue with the shipments because they are a result of long term contracts and considered international aid, but senior officials told Reuters during the weekend that the policy is under internal review.

Republican lawmakers had publicly warned Sheinbaum that she could face consequences during the upcoming renegotiation of the USMCA.

In a social media publication, Rep. Maria Elvira Salazar said Sheinbaum "must carefully think her next step and stop financing the Cuban regime with free oil."

"The Trump administration has been clear: freedom in our hemisphere is a priority. Have no doubt: the continuous appeasement of the Cuban regime will be taken into account when renegotiating the USMCA. President Sheinbaum: cut all oil supplies to the regime NOW," Salazar added.

The lawmaker celebrated the report, saying Mexico is "doing the right thing." "It's great news and a clear sign that the end of the Cuban regime is getting closer."

"To the Cuban regime: your time is running out. Leave the island before it's too late," she added.

Moreover, a recent report from Politico detailed that the Trump administration is considering a total blockade on oil imports to Cuba to drive regime change in the country. The outlet noted that the initiative is resisted by some in the administration but has the backing of Secretary of State Marco Rubio.

There are ongoing debates about whether it is necessary to go that far, considering the Caribbean country is going through its worst crisis in the almost 70 years since the Communist revolution. Such a step could exacerbate a humanitarian crisis there and see the U.S. take the blame for it. No decision has been made.