MEXICO CITY, Mexico — Mexico is in talks with private companies about buying oil from the state-owned giant Pemex and selling it to Cuban companies, President Claudia Sheinbaum said Monday.

“There are private companies that have approached us, for example, about buying fuel from Pemex and taking it to private companies in Cuba,” Sheinbaum said. “Several companies, not just one.”

Her comments came after United States (US) President Donald Trump said Moscow and other countries could now send oil to Cuba despite Washington’s de facto fuel blockade. A Russian tanker is expected to deliver much-needed crude to the crisis-hit island this week.

“If a country wants to send some oil into Cuba right now, I have no problem with that, whether it’s Russia or not,” Trump told reporters on Sunday.

United States (US) authorities have until now prevented oil from Venezuela, Mexico and other countries from reaching Cuba, under the threat of tariffs.

Cuba lost its main regional ally and oil supplier in January when US forces captured Venezuela’s socialist leader Nicolas Maduro.

Trump subsequently threatened to impose tariffs on any country sending oil to Cuba and has mused about “taking” the island.

In February the US Treasury Department eased the oil blockade by saying crude could be sent to private companies in Cuba, but not the government or the military.

Trump’s comments Sunday on oil supplies suggested his thinking has changed.

“Cuba’s finished, they have a bad regime, they have very bad and corrupt leadership, and whether or not they get a boat of oil it’s not going to matter,” Trump said.

“I’d prefer letting it in, whether it’s Russia or anybody else, because the people need heat and cooling and all of the other things that you need,” he added.