Republican Rep. Maria Elvira Salazar issued a warning to Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum over the country's oil shipments to Cuba, saying they could impact upcoming trade negotiations.
In a social media publication, Salazar said Sheinbaum "must carefully think her next step and stop financing the Cuban regime with free oil."
La presidenta Sheinbaum debe pensar bien su próximo paso y dejar de financiar con petróleo gratis al régimen cubano. La administración Trump ha sido clara: la libertad en nuestro hemisferio es una prioridad.
— María Elvira Salazar 🇺🇸 (@MaElviraSalazar) January 23, 2026
Que no le quede duda: el continuo apaciguamiento al régimen cubano será…
"The Trump administration has been clear: freedom in our hemisphere is a priority. Have no doubt: the continuous appeasement of the Cuban regime will be taken into account when renegotiating the USMCA. President Sheinbaum: cut all oil supplies to the regime NOW," Salazar added.
In a following publication she posted an article from Reuters detailing that the Mexican government is indeed reviewing whether to keep sending oil to Cuba in fear of reprisals from the U.S.
Salazar was not the only lawmaker to send such a message. Republican Rep. Carlos Gimenez said he expects Sheinbaum to face "consequences" over the matter.
Speaking to Mexican journalist Leon Krauze for a guest op-ed published by The Washington Post, Gimenez also said the consequences could take place during the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement negotiations. He said the talks are "the only mechanism we have to modify the Mexican government's actions."
The lawmaker added that the administration's claim that it is sending the oil on humanitarian grounds is "an excuse President Sheinbaum is using to help Cuba sustain its regime because they match ideologically." He also claimed that the country is "propping up a dictatorship that denies its people their human rights" and said he doesn't consider Mexico to be an "American ally."
Elsewhere, Politico detailed that the Trump administration is considering a total blockade on oil imports to Cuba to drive regime change in the country. The outlet noted that the initiative is resisted by some in the administration but has the backing of Secretary of State Marco Rubio.
There are ongoing debates about whether it is necessary to go that far, considering the country is going through its worst crisis in the almost 70 years since the Communist revolution. Such a step could exacerbate a humanitarian crisis and see the U.S. take the blame for it. No decision has been made.
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