US Republican Congressman Carlos A. Gimenez has sharply criticized Claudia Sheinbaum over her government’s policy of sending oil to Cuba. He called the action as a “betrayal” that the United States will not “tolerate in the slightest”.
In a series of posts on social media, Gimenez condemned Sheinbaum’s insistence that Mexico continue providing petroleum to Cuba, even as her administration frames the shipments as “humanitarian aid.” The remarks have placed the Florida Republican at the forefront of an escalating diplomatic dispute between Mexico and the U.S. Congress.
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US Congressman criticize Sheinbaum’s betrayal
“We categorically denounce the pathetic decision of President Sheinbaum to continue sending oil to the Cuban regime,” Gimenez said, emphasizing that his position reflects the broader view of many in the U.S. legislature. He argued that the Mexican president’s actions demonstrate greater concern for maintaining ties with Cuban leader Miguel Díaz-Canel than protecting relations with the United States, Mexico’s largest trading partner.
Gimenez specifically highlighted the ongoing review of the United States–Mexico–Canada Agreement (USMCA)—known in Mexico as T-MEC—suggesting that Mexico’s oil policy could become a point of contention in trade negotiations. “This great betrayal will not be tolerated in the slightest. Let her keep that in mind as the free trade treaty is renegotiated,” he stated.
This is not the first time Gimenez has clashed publicly with Sheinbaum over the issue. Earlier in 2026, the congressman accused her of “blatantly lying” about being an ally of the United States while simultaneously providing oil to Cuba—a decision he warned could carry severe consequences during the USMCA review process. At that time, the Financial Times reported that Mexico had become Cuba’s main oil supplier, overtaking Venezuela in shipments of crude to the island.
Gimenez’s comments have drawn wider Republican attention to Mexico’s energy support for Cuba, with additional lawmakers calling for stricter measures and linking potential policy shifts to broader trade and diplomatic leverage.
Meanwhile, the Mexican government maintains that its decisions on oil shipments are sovereign and tied to contracts and humanitarian considerations. The diplomatic standoff underscores the growing complexity of U.S.–Mexico relations amid regional geopolitical shifts.
