Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum has reaffirmed the continuation of oil shipments to Cuba and solidarity with the Caribbean island, besieged by the economic, commercial, and financial blockade imposed by the United States.
“If Mexico can help create better conditions for Cuba, we will always be there; it is a relationship with the Cuban people under very difficult circumstances,” the president stated during her regular press conference.
The head of the Executive Branch recalled Mexico’s historic relationship with Cuba, regardless of the political affiliation of each administration.
“Mexico, all its governments, has maintained a supportive relationship with Cuba (…). When there is an extreme blockade, people are experiencing hardship, and Mexico has always shown solidarity,” she emphasized, reiterating that oil is sent to the Caribbean nation under contracts or for humanitarian reasons.
The official criticized right-wing sectors that question this support, when in reality it represents a very small amount compared to what Cuba produces and is “solidarity in the face of hardship and difficulty.”
“When there is an economic blockade, you cannot import and export freely. Therefore, the conditions for a country’s development become very difficult,” explained Sheinbaum, who highlighted the vast majority of nations that oppose this US policy every year at the United Nations.
According to the most recent data, Washington’s blockade against Cuba caused an estimated $7.5561 billion in losses between March 2024 and February of this year, a 49 percent increase compared to the previous period.
In the health sector alone, this policy resulted in losses of nearly $300 million in a single year, while the impact on the energy sector exceeded $496 million due to restrictions on importing fuel and spare parts.
On October 29, Cuba achieved another victory in the United Nations General Assembly, securing 165 votes in favor of the resolution calling for an end to the blockade.
[ SOURCE: PRENSA LATINA ]
