LatinNews Daily - 09 February 2026

*Mexico’s foreign ministry (SRE) has announced that the government led by President Claudia Sheinbaum sent over 814 tonnes (t) of supplies to Cuba on 8 February as part of efforts to provide humanitarian aid to the island. The provisions, which are due to arrive to Cuba on 12 February, consist of basic food items and personal hygiene products. A further 1,500 t of provisions are yet to be sent. This comes as Mexico has suspended oil shipments to Cuba in the wake of US President Donald Trump’s threat to impose tariffs on countries providing oil to the island. On 7 February Cuba’s government led by President Miguel Díaz-Canel announced a series of emergency measures to confront fuel shortages. These include prioritising fuel for “the protection of essential services… and necessary economic activities”, restricting fuel sales, reducing administrative activities to between Monday and Thursday, and cutting down on public transport schedules and in-person secondary school and higher education hours, as well as using domestic crude oil and gas production to sustain electricity demands and increasing renewable energy generation. Cuba’s state-owned export-import corporation Cimex announced that fuel sales in national currency (CUP) and the sale of diesel fuel in US dollars to the population will be postponed. Customers will be allowed to purchase B90 and B94 gasoline with a 20-litre cap. While the government has signalled that the operation of airports remains a priority, the authorities have issued a Notam (Notice to Airmen) stating that planes will not be able to refuel at its main José Martí international airport in Havana between 10 February and 11 March. Furthermore, despite plans to ensure the sustainability of sectors that generate foreign currency income, such as tourism, Bloomberg has reported that two major beach resorts on Cuba’s northern coast are closing down due to the fuel shortages. The new measures come as Díaz-Canel expressed openness to talks with US on 5 February. 

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