Compostela, Nayarit – Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo affirmed her support for former President Andrés Manuel López Obrador’s recent call for aid to Cuba, emphasizing the ongoing hardship faced by the Cuban people due to the U.S. Economic embargo. Speaking during a distribution of “Mujeres Bienestar” (Women’s Wellbeing) pension cards in Compostela on Sunday, Sheinbaum stated her government will continue to stand in solidarity with the island nation, describing the situation as one where “a brotherly people are suffering.”
The President’s remarks came after López Obrador, now retired and writing books, publicly expressed his distress over the conditions in Cuba via social media. He urged citizens to contribute to a fund established to provide assistance, referencing a bank account previously publicized by the Mexican newspaper La Jornada. Sheinbaum echoed this sentiment, stating, “Yesterday, President López Obrador wrote something on his social media saying, ‘I am very hurt by what is happening to the people of Cuba,’ because the people of Cuba have been subjected to a blockade by the United States and other countries for many years, preventing products from reaching them.”
Sheinbaum highlighted that recent restrictions have further exacerbated the challenges faced by Cubans, specifically mentioning a recent blockade impacting petroleum deliveries. “Recently, another blockade was imposed to prevent the arrival of oil. The brothers are suffering, and it is a close, brotherly people,” she underscored. She reaffirmed Mexico’s commitment to providing support despite the difficulties involved, stating, “We decided that, even though it was tough to send oil, we would continue to do so.”
The President referenced a fundraising initiative launched by La Jornada, supported by intellectuals, academics, and journalists, aimed at gathering resources for the Cuban people. López Obrador also referenced this initiative in his social media post. Sheinbaum emphasized that the support is rooted in humanitarian principles, transcending political alignments. “There are those who say, ‘I do not agree with the Cuban government.’ That’s fine, but that shouldn’t mean the people have to suffer,” she asserted.
Sheinbaum defended Mexico’s position as being consistent with the country’s long-standing tradition of solidarity. “This speaks to the greatness of the hearts of Mexican women and men. We will continue to support the people of Cuba from the government, and whoever wants to support them should do so,” she affirmed. She added that the concept of “humanismo mexicano” (Mexican humanism), a philosophy promoted by López Obrador, underscores the nation’s commitment to fraternity and solidarity.
Governor of Nayarit, Miguel Ángel Navarro Quintero, Secretary of Women, Citlalli Hernández Mora, and Secretary of Welfare, Ariadna Montiel Reyes, accompanied the President during the event. Governor Navarro Quintero expressed his gratitude for the President’s visit, stating she has “defended the sovereignty and territory of Mexico without shouts or threats.”
The ongoing U.S. Embargo against Cuba has been a contentious issue for decades. According to the U.S. State Department, the embargo was first implemented in 1960 in response to the Cuban revolution and the subsequent nationalization of U.S. Properties (U.S. Department of State). The embargo has been periodically tightened and loosened over the years, but remains largely in place.
Sheinbaum’s support for aid to Cuba aligns with Mexico’s historical stance of non-intervention and solidarity with Latin American nations. This position reflects a broader trend in Latin America, where several countries have criticized the U.S. Embargo and called for its lifting.
As Cuba continues to grapple with economic challenges and shortages, the international community’s response will be closely watched. Mexico’s continued support, both through direct aid and advocacy for a change in U.S. Policy, signals a commitment to regional solidarity and humanitarian principles. The effectiveness of the fundraising efforts initiated by La Jornada and endorsed by both López Obrador and Sheinbaum will be a key indicator of the level of public support for assisting the Cuban people.
What comes next will depend on the continued mobilization of resources and the evolving political landscape surrounding the U.S. Embargo. The Mexican government’s commitment to providing assistance, coupled with the outpouring of support from civil society, will be crucial in alleviating the hardships faced by the Cuban population.
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