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Sources say that Mexico is considering stopping oil shipments from Cuba due to Trump's retaliation.

Three sources with knowledge of the discussions say that the Mexican government is considering whether it should continue sending oil to Cuba. There are growing concerns within the administration of President Claudia Sheinbaum about the possibility that the United States could retaliate against Mexico for this policy. The policy is vital to the Communist-run Caribbean island. The U.S. blocked oil tankers from Venezuela in December, and President Nicolas Maduro was captured this month. This has halted Venezuelan oil deliveries to Cuba. Mexico is now the sole supplier of energy for the island which suffers from massive blackouts and energy shortages. Mexico's role as a major oil supplier to Cuba also puts 'the U.S.'s southern neighbor in Washington's crosshairs. In a post on Truth Social dated January 11, President Donald Trump said that Cuba was "ready to fall".

Sheinbaum said publicly that Mexico would continue to ship oil to Cuba. He explained that the shipments are part of long-term contracts, and they are considered international aid. Senior Mexican government sources, however, said that the policy was being reviewed internally as Sheinbaum's Cabinet grows increasingly anxious about the possibility of Trump becoming upset by the oil shipments.

Mexico is trying negotiate a revision of the USMCA North American Trade Pact while also convincing Washington that it is doing enough in combating drug cartels, and that U.S. Military action against these groups on Mexican soil is neither welcomed nor necessary.

Sources requested anonymity in order to discuss a sensitive issue. Sources say that the Mexican government is still undecided about its final decision. They have said that a total halt, a reduced amount, or a full continuation are all options.

The Mexican presidency said that the country has "always been in solidarity" with the Cuban people and?added, shipping oil to Cuba as well as a separate agreement for paying for the services provided by Cuban doctors are "sovereign decisions." The Cuban government has not responded to a comment request.

White House official: "As President said, Cuba has failed on its own accord... There will be no more oil or money coming to Cuba from Venezuela and he strongly recommends Cuba make a deal before too late."

CARTELS ATTACKED by LAND ATTACKS

Trump has increased pressure on Mexico in recent weeks. He says that the cartels run the country and that a ground attack against them is imminent. Sheinbaum has stressed repeatedly that any unilateral action by the U.S. Sheinbaum has repeatedly stressed that any unilateral?U.S.

One of the sources said: "There's a growing concern that the United States might take unilateral action against our territory."

Two sources claim that during a telephone call with Sheinbaum last week, Trump asked about the crude and fuel shipments going to Cuba, and?the presence in Mexico of thousands of Cuban physicians. Sheinbaum replied that the shipments were "humanitarian assistance" and that doctors' deals "are in full compliance" to Mexican law, according to sources familiar with this call. The sources said that Trump did not ask Mexico directly to stop the oil deliveries.

Three sources confirmed that officials within Sheinbaum’s government have also been growing increasingly concerned by the increased presence of U.S. Navy Drones in the Gulf of Mexico, since December. Local media reported that flight-tracking data showed at least three U.S. Northrop Grumman Triton MQ-4C drones had flown a dozen times over the Bay of Campeche. They followed the same route as tankers transporting Mexican fuel from Mexico to Cuba.

The same reconnaissance aircraft was spotted in December off the Venezuelan coastline, just days before the U.S. attacked the South American nation.

Sheinbaum led an offensive against the Sinaloa Cartel, and approved three mass transfers of drug kingpins in excess of 100 to?the United States.

Sheinbaum, a senior U.S. official, has stated repeatedly that unilateral U.S. actions on Mexican soil represent a redline.

Sheinbaum stated on Wednesday that "very little crude oil is exported to Cuba. But it's a form solidarity in times of hardship." Sheinbaum said that "that doesn't need to disappear".

CUBA'S MEXICAN OIL FEEDLINE

Trump's campaign of pressure against Cuba began during his first term, when he reversed many historic rapprochements orchestrated by the former Democratic President Barack Obama. It has increased ever since Trump returned to office one year ago.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio is a Cuban-American and has been the driving force behind Trump’s Venezuela policy. He, along with other U.S. officials, also believes that this could weaken Maduro’s Cuban allies. The constraints on Trump's Cuba policy are even more difficult to overcome, considering Havana's regional support and international recognition, the entrenched nature and power of Cuba's security forces and leadership, and its ability to endure decades under the U.S. embargo.

The Caribbean's largest island relies heavily upon fuel imports to meet its electricity, gasoline and aviation fuel needs. U.S. economic sanctions and the deepening crisis in the economy have made it impossible for the Communist government to purchase enough fuel.

Three sources within Sheinbaum’s government said that there is a strong belief in the Sheinbaum’s government that Washington’s strategy to cut off Cuba’s oil supply could lead the country into a humanitarian catastrophe, leading to mass migrations from Cuba to Mexico. Some government officials are pushing for the continuation of fuel supplies on the island, the sources said.

It is unlikely that other oil companies will step up to fill the gap, considering the U.S. military presence and focus in the area. The U.S. seized vessels that were involved in Venezuelan oil trading, vessels that are part of the shadow fleet, which supplies crude from countries that have been sanctioned by the U.S., such as Iran and Russia.

According to data reported by the Mexican state oil company Pemex, between January and September of last year, Mexico exported 17,200 barrels of crude oil per day and 2,000 bpd refined petroleum products worth $400 million to Cuba.

(source: Reuters)