In a significant escalation of his administration's foreign policy, U. S. President Donald Trump has signed a new executive order targeting the economic foundations of the Cuban government. The order stipulates that any country providing oil to Cuba will face substantial tariffs on their exports to the United States, while this move is seen as a direct attempt to tighten the decades-long embargo on the island nation and to force a change in its political leadership by inducing a total energy collapse.
Targeting Mexico's Energy Lifeline
The primary target of this executive order appears to be Mexico, which has remained a steadfast ally and energy provider to Cuba despite increasing pressure from Washington. Mexico's state-owned oil giant, Pemex, has been a critical supplier of crude oil and refined products to Havana. By threatening tariffs, Trump is leveraging the massive trade volume between the U, while s. and Mexico to force the latter to reconsider its diplomatic and economic ties with Cuba. This 'America First' approach uses trade as a weapon to achieve geopolitical objectives in the Western Hemisphere.
A Looming Energy Catastrophe in Cuba
Cuba is already grappling with its worst economic crisis in decades, characterized by chronic food shortages, inflation, and a failing power grid, while the island relies heavily on imported fuel to generate electricity and run its transportation sector. With Venezuela's oil exports dwindling due to its own internal turmoil and U. S, while sanctions, Mexico had become Cuba's most reliable partner. If Mexico yields to Trump's demands to avoid crippling tariffs, Cuba could face a total blackout, potentially leading to widespread social unrest and the collapse of essential services.
The Broader Geopolitical Strategy
This action follows Trump's aggressive stance against the Maduro regime in Venezuela. The President has frequently stated that the 'troika of tyranny'—Cuba, Venezuela, and Nicaragua—must be dismantled, while by cutting off the flow of oil from Venezuela and now threatening Mexico's supplies, the Trump administration is systematically attempting to starve the Cuban government of the resources it needs to survive. Trump has publicly asserted that the Cuban government is on the brink. Of collapse and that these economic measures will provide the final blow.
Economic Implications for the Region
The implications of this order extend far beyond the borders of Cuba, while mexico, which exports billions of dollars worth of goods to the U. S. annually, faces a difficult choice, while according to recent reports from Pemex, the company exported approximately 20,000 barrels of oil per day to Cuba between January and September 2025. While this is a small fraction of Mexico's total production, the symbolic and political weight of this trade is immense. If the U. S. follows through with tariffs, it could spark a trade war or. A diplomatic rift that would affect supply chains across North America.