A Mexican oil tanker delivered 1.2 million barrels of crude to Cuba in early January 2026, marking the first such shipment in over a decade and intensifying geopolitical friction with the United States. The move underscores shifting energy alliances in the Caribbean.
- 1.2 million barrels of crude oil were delivered from Mexico to Cuba in January 2026.
- The Ocean Mariner tanker transported crude from Mexico’s Cantarell field.
- This marks the first direct oil shipment from Mexico to Cuba since 2014.
- Mexico’s crude production averaged 2.3 million barrels per day in 2025.
- The delivery bypassed U.S. territorial waters, raising geopolitical concerns.
- Cuba’s Cienfuegos port received the cargo, part of broader energy modernization efforts.
The Mexican-flagged tanker Ocean Mariner arrived at the Cienfuegos port in Cuba on January 9, 2026, discharging 1.2 million barrels of heavy crude from the Cantarell field. This transaction, confirmed by maritime tracking data and regional energy officials, represents the first direct crude oil delivery from Mexico to Cuba since 2014, when diplomatic relations between the two nations began to thaw. The shipment underscores a growing trend of energy cooperation between Mexico and Cuba, despite U.S. sanctions and longstanding restrictions on trade with Havana. The crude, sourced from PEMEX’s offshore production platform, was transported via a dedicated voyage that bypassed U.S. territorial waters, signaling a deliberate effort to circumvent potential scrutiny. The delivery coincided with Cuba’s ongoing efforts to stabilize its energy infrastructure following years of infrastructure degradation and fuel shortages. U.S. officials have expressed concern over the transaction, citing the potential for indirect support to Cuba’s state-owned energy sector, which remains under U.S. sanctions. The shipment may also set a precedent for future energy exchanges between Latin American nations, challenging the U.S. dominance in regional energy policy. Analysts note that with Mexico’s crude production averaging 2.3 million barrels per day in 2025, the country has surplus capacity and growing incentives to diversify export routes. The move could influence investment flows in the Caribbean energy market, particularly as Cuba seeks to modernize its refining capacity. Meanwhile, U.S. energy regulators are monitoring port activity at key Gulf Coast and Caribbean hubs for signs of increased Mexican-Cuban trade. The Ocean Mariner’s next scheduled voyage is expected to return to Veracruz by mid-January.