Cuba has received no shipments of crude oil in January and February, S&P Global Commodities at Sea data shows, a sign that US policies are squeezing flows to Havana.

In 2025, Cuba imported an average of 1.2 million barrels of oil per month, for a total of 13.7 million barrels for the year, CAS data(opens in a new tab) shows.

Venezuelan crude accounted for 61% of this total, Mexico for 25%, and crude from Russia and Algeria for the remaining 10% and 4%, respectively, CAS data showed.

Oil imports from Venezuela stopped after the US removed Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro on Jan. 3. And crude flows from Mexico halted after US President Donald Trump on Jan. 29 set up a process to impose tariffs on countries that provide Cuba with oil.

Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum, speaking at a Feb. 9 press conference, confirmed that Mexican oil shipments to Cuba are currently paused as the government seeks ways to support Cuba’s energy needs without triggering potential US sanctions or tariffs under recent executive actions.

Cuba is now showing signs of the strain from the halt in crude imports. Cuban aviation officials reportedly warned airlines Feb. 8 that there is not enough fuel for airplanes to refuel on the island.

The Trump administration has not yet followed through on imposing tariffs on a country for selling oil to Cuba, ClearView Energy analysts said in a Feb. 7 note.

“But it is still early days, and we cannot rule out the prospect that [the US Department of] State might exercise its option in furtherance of White House Western Hemisphere priorities,” ClearView analysts said.
Source: Platts