Sheinbaum rejects U.S. tariff policy on countries buying oil from Venezuela

The President of Mexico, Claudia Sheinbaum, expressed her opposition to the economic sanctions recently announced by U.S. President Donald Trump against countries that purchase oil from Venezuela.

“We do not agree with imposing economic sanctions on countries. This is a fundamental principle of Mexico’s foreign policy, not only of the government I represent but in general,” Sheinbaum stated during her morning press conference this Wednesday.

Trump announced on Monday that any country purchasing oil or gas from Venezuela will face a 25% tariff on commercial transactions with the United States, which will take effect on April 2.

In a post on his social media platform, Truth Social, Trump referred to this tax as a “secondary tariff” in addition to those previously announced.

In response, Sheinbaum argued that these economic sanctions not only impact governments but entire populations.

“It does not only affect a government or an individual but an entire people. Diplomacy and international dialogue are always the way to resolve issues,” the president reiterated.

Sheinbaum spoke about Mexico’s oil policy, which focuses on consuming oil produced domestically, as the country had long relied on hydrocarbon exports.

She pointed out that during the administrations of Vicente Fox and Felipe Calderón, oil fields were overexploited, calling it a “tremendous irresponsibility because an oil well must be used rationally to yield more oil over a longer period.”

“Cantarell, the great oil field that contributed so much to Mexico, reached a production peak of 3.2 million barrels per day during Fox’s administration—the highest production our country has ever achieved. And for what? Mainly to export it to the United States,” Sheinbaum remarked.

She explained that her government’s current objective is to maintain a production level of 1.8 million barrels per day throughout the administration and refine that oil in domestic facilities to meet national gasoline and diesel demand.