Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum revealed on Monday that she sent 20.000 pesos (about $1.100) to the people of Cuba as humanitarian aid, as part of an initiative launched by former President Andrés Manuel López Obrador to support the island in the face of its energy crisis.
“(I donated) 20.000 pesos (about $1.100). There were problems, by the way, with the deposit (…) Now, that's a personal matter. It's my personal decision, Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo's, to donate to an account opened by a number of organizations to be able to send aid to Cuba,” the mayor stated during her morning press conference.
A few weeks ago, the Mexican leader had announced a financial donation to Cuba "personally", following the recent call in that regard from former President Andrés Manuel López Obrador (2018-2024).
The president clarified that this donation “has nothing to do” with her position, as she asserted that “as president of the people of Mexico I will always seek, first and foremost, to protect our people and our nation.”
Furthermore, he explained that cooperation with Cuba —both in terms of fuel and social assistance— is maintained under criteria of sovereignty and without affecting national interests.
“What we have always said is that Mexico has every right to send fuel, whether for humanitarian or commercial reasons, but we do not want to harm Mexico,” he stated, explaining that the decision is evaluated according to tariff and customs conditions, since “we always seek humanitarian aid.”
He emphasized that, in addition to cooperation between governments, there are requests from private companies interested in acquiring Mexican fuels to supply the Cuban private sector.
“These private companies, like hotels, are looking for private entities willing to supply them with fuel, not necessarily from government to government. There are private entities that approach us, for example, to buy fuel from Pemex (Mexican Petroleum) and then supply it to private businesses in Cuba,” he noted.
He recalled that Cuba recently announced "an opening of its economy," which has multiplied this type of commercial operation.
Regarding Mexico's historical stance towards the island, he reiterated that the country defends Cuban sovereignty: "There should be no intervention of one country over another."
He maintained that humanitarian support will continue despite internal criticism, stating that "the only ones who don't want support for the Cuban people are some far-right opponents," while "the people of Mexico are in complete agreement with providing humanitarian aid to Cuba and any other country in the world."
He recalled that Mexico has always had a friendly relationship with the Cuban people, which will continue to exist.
“As long as I am president, that will remain the position. Because it is a matter of the Constitution and of conviction, and what brings us closer to the Cuban people is extraordinary. So humanitarian aid will continue, and we are reviewing the conditions for commercial aid,” she asserted.
