Claudia Sheinbaum Says 'Mexico Does Not Kneel or Sell Out' as U.S. Threatens With Tariffs To Countries Supplying Oil To Cuba

Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum said that "Mexico does not kneel, does not bow, does not surrender and does not sell out," as tensions grow with the United States over oil shipments to Cuba and new tariff threats from Washington.

Speaking at a public ceremony in Querétaro marking the anniversary of Mexico's 1917 Constitution, Sheinbaum said Mexico "will not return to being a colony or protectorate of anyone" and tied the country's history to "its constant struggle for sovereignty and independence."

She concluded: "Mexico does not kneel, does not bow, does not surrender and does not sell out." She did not mention the United States by name, but her remarks came amid increased U.S. pressure across Latin America.

“México no se doblega, no se arrodilla, no se rinde, ni se vende”: De esta manera Claudia Sheinbaum cierra su discurso en el 109 aniversario de la promulgación de la Constitución de 1917. pic.twitter.com/S7YrpuQ9EK

— Nación321 (@Nacion321) February 5, 2026

The comments follow a series of developments over the past week regarding Cuba's fuel crisis and U.S. efforts to block oil supplies to the island.

On Monday, Sheinbaum said Mexico would send humanitarian aid to Cuba but hold off on oil shipments after presitend Trump signed an executive order threatening tariffs on countries that supply oil to the island.

Sheinbaum said aid would be delivered by Mexico's Navy and include food and essential goods, while "everything regarding oil shipments due to humanitarian reasons will be solved through diplomatic means." She added Mexico was "searching all diplomatic channels" to support Cuba.

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On Thursday, Reuters reported that Mexican officials were exploring ways to send fuel to Cuba without triggering U.S. retaliation and were in talks with U.S. counterparts to clarify the scope of the tariff order. Asked about those contacts, the White House pointed to the president's earlier statement that Mexico would stop sending oil.

Cuba's government has warned of worsening shortages with President Miguel Díaz-Canel saying on Thursday that the country is preparing for "acute fuel shortages." UN Secretary-General António Guterres has warned the situation could "worsen, if not collapse, if its oil needs go unmet," urging dialogue and respect for international law.

Sheinbaum's comments also come a week after a separate disagreement with Washington over security cooperation and anti-drug operations. On January 30, Sheinbaum said Mexico will "never accept joint operations" with the United States on its territory after controversy surrounding the arrest of former Canadian Olympian Ryan Wedding which derived in conflicting accounts about whether FBI personnel took part in the operation in Mexico.

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