Alonso Urrutia and Néstor Jiménez
La Jornada Newspaper
Thursday, January 22, 2026, p. 4
Given the US economic blockade that Cuba faces, “if Mexico can help generate better conditions for the island, we will always be there. It is a relationship with the Cuban people in very difficult conditions,” said President Claudia Sheinbaum. He recalled that since the United States imposed this measure, our country has repeatedly opposed it, with different nuances, even during the PAN governments.
In a conference, he ratified the solidarity position that Mexico has maintained since then and that, even, under the government of Enrique Peña Nieto, led to the forgiveness of a debt. He pointed out that, although there were meetings with dissidents with President Ernesto Zedillo Ponce de León during a visit to the island, this did not prevent the bilateral relationship. He added: “Carlos Salinas went to Cuba. Even back then, when there was electoral fraud, we said: ‘why did Cuba recognize Salinas de Gortari?'”
General rejection
He stated that, faced with this blockade, Cuba cannot import or export freely, which significantly complicates the conditions of economic development of the island. Although Mexico was the first to oppose this measure, there are currently hundreds of countries that question it, and practically only two approve it. However, it remains because, although it should not be the case, some governments are more powerful than others.
Solidarity with Cuba has been sustained over time. “Why? Because it is with the Cuban people, regardless of whether or not one agrees with the regime. When there is an extreme blockade and people experience hardship, Mexico has always been supportive.” In the case of oil, there have been shipments through contracts; that’s one part. In addition, with President Andrés Manuel López Obrador there was also humanitarian aid, a policy that was determined to continue in this administration.
Sheinbaum questioned the attacks on the oil policy towards Cuba: “what does the right say in Mexico? ‘No, they are giving away oil at the expense of Mexico’. Well no, it is not at the expense, because it is really very little; of what is produced, what is sent is minimal, but it is supportive support in the face of a situation of hardship and difficulty that a people is experiencing.”
