Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum announced the departure of another ship carrying material aid for Cuba, amid the tightening of the blockade imposed by the United States on the Caribbean nation.
“The United States has enforced an isolation regarding the arrival of fuel to the island of Cuba. Consequently, we have stepped up our humanitarian aid efforts. In fact, another humanitarian aid ship is departing for the island of Cuba today on behalf of the Government of Mexico,” she reported.
Speaking from Cancún, in the southern state of Quintana Roo, she affirmed that her nation would continue to support the people of that country and seek ways—without negatively impacting Mexico—to send fuel, a measure she described as fundamental at this moment.
During her regular press briefing, Sheinbaum also highlighted the solidarity demonstrated by civil society organizations and mentioned the upcoming departure of a vessel from Progreso, in southeastern Mexico, to support the island as part of the “Nuestra América” (Our America) Convoy.
The Chief Executive added that the Secretariat of the Navy is working to ensure that this international group obtains all necessary permits and meets all safety requirements so that it may set sail and “bring its own solidarity” to the largest island of the Antilles.
In response to a question on the subject, the President referenced two speeches delivered by former President Lázaro Cárdenas (1934–1940), which she deemed “historic with regard to the Mexico-Cuba relationship.”
She cited the gratitude the former leader expressed to the island for its solidarity during the oil expropriation in Mexico, as well as his words regarding the invasion at Playa Girón (Bay of Pigs): “Solidarity with Cuba at this moment is solidarity with Latin America.” “It is a deeply moving speech—one of immense symbolism—and it represents the solidarity that we are committed to extending to the people of Cuba,” the dignitary stated this Friday, emphasizing that the country has endured a blockade for years that has hindered its free economic development.
The Mexican president reaffirmed her defense of the self-determination of peoples and underscored that it is the Cuban population itself that must decide how to govern itself, without foreign intervention.
For over six decades, the United States has imposed an economic, commercial, and financial siege upon the Caribbean nation—a siege that was intensified last January through an executive order signed by U.S. President Donald Trump.
The resulting lack of access to fuel—stemming from this escalation—is impacting sectors as critical as electricity generation, hospital operations, food production and distribution, and water pumping throughout the largest of the Antilles.
[ SOURCE: PRENSA LATINA ]
