Republican Rep. Slams Mexican President Sheinbaum For Seeking To Send Oil To Cuba Despite Trump Blockade: 'Pathetic Play'

Republican Rep. Carlos Gimenez slammed Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum for saying she continues to seek diplomatic ways to get oil to Cuba, which teeters on the brink of collapse as a result of shortages.

"President Sheinbaum of Mexico continues with her "pathetic play of looting the Mexican people to give oxygen to her friends of the dying Cuban dictatorship. From the U.S. Congress we denounce this pitiful gall!" Gimenez said in a social media publication.

🚨La Presidente Sheinbaum de #México sigue con su patética jugada de saquear al pueblo mexicano para oxigenar a sus compinches de la dictadura moribunda en #Cuba. ¡Desde el Congreso de Estados Unidos denunciamos su penosa desfachatez!pic.twitter.com/0QBOTveu8b

— Rep. Carlos A. Gimenez (@RepCarlos) February 9, 2026

He was making reference to a video of Sheinbaum criticizing the measures taken by the Trump administration. "A people can't be choked like this. It's very unfair, so we make a call for there not to be sanctions and support the peoples, always," Sheinbaum said during her daily press conference.

"We are taking all diplomatic steps to avoid the imposition of tariffs for sending oil to Cuba," she added.

Sheinbaum clarified that the country is currently not sending oil to the beleaguered Caribbean nation. She noted that they are "currently on hold" as the country is "seeking to avoid any negative impact on Mexico and, as always, to find the best diplomatic solution for Cuba to receive fuel."

In the meantime, Cuban authorities say they can no longer refuel airplanes arriving in the island.

Air Canada said it will send empty planes to pick up some 3,000 clients and take them back, according to Telemundo Noticias. The outlet noted that Canadian tourism is key for the Cuban economy, and the country is the second largest source of direct investment in the island.

Iberia airline also said on Monday it activated options for clients to get refunds or change the date of their tickets. "At this time there is no confirmation that the situation will lead to modifications or cancellations of the operation between Madrid and Cuba," the airline said in a statement. "Iberia continues to permanently monitor the situation to adopt necessary measures."

The country has also begun closing tourism resorts, one of its last remaining lifelines. Bloomberg reported during the weekend that at least two large beach resorts were closing due to gasoline shortages. One said the resort is shutting down because there is no fuel for employees to get to work. Guests were relocated to another resort 30 miles away.

Cuba is also limiting some other activities as a result of U.S. pressure. The Associated Press detailed this week in another report that public transport between provinces is experiencing limitations, and some educational establishments told workers to stay at home.

• U.S.'s Pressure On Cuba Escalates as Florida Republicans Urge 'Zero Tolerance and Total Pressure': Report
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