Mexico challenges possible US sanctions amid support for Cuba

The president of Mexico, Claudia Sheinbaum, stated this Monday (10) that her government will maintain support for Cuba in the face of sanctions imposed by the United States on countries that supply oil to the island.

During her daily press conference at the National Palace, she classified the measure announced by Washington as “very unfair” and declared that Mexico will continue sending humanitarian aid and acting diplomatically to avoid the imposition of tariffs.

“Yes, yes, there will be more support. The people of Mexico are always supportive. No one can be silent in the face of the situation that the people of Cuba are experiencing at the moment because of the sanctions that are being imposed on any country that sends oil, by the United States, in a very unfair way,” said Sheinbaum.

The president of Mexico maintained that “you cannot strangle a people” nor subject them to punishments that affect hospitals, schools and basic services.

“So let’s help the people of Cuba as we have always helped, at any time, people in need,” he stated.

She also stated that the Mexican government is acting to avoid possible retaliation by the United States for sending oil to the island.

“We are taking all diplomatic actions to prevent tariffs from being imposed on Mexico for sending oil to Cuba,” he declared, adding that the country also makes “a call internationally and to the United States that these sanctions are very unfair to the Cuban people.”

In the president’s opinion, political differences cannot justify collective punishments. “One may or may not agree with the Cuban government regime, but the people must never be affected,” he stated, arguing that economic sanctions cannot affect hospitals, schools and essential services.

When addressing criticism from the opposition regarding the shipment of Mexican fuel, Sheinbaum maintained that exports occur along the same lines adopted with other trading partners.

“These are contracts. We send oil to 50 countries… and part of this oil is exported to Cuba like any other country. And sometimes, for humanitarian reasons, oil has been sent to Cuba,” he said.