The president of Mexico, Claudia Sheinbaumaffirmed today that his country has always “set the table” to address any conflict, in the event of a possible Mexican mediation between the United States and Cuba, although he stressed that this would depend exclusively on the will of both nations.
“That depends on Cuba and the United States [la mediación]. Cuba is a sovereign, independent country. United States too. Mexico has always set the table to be able to address any conflict. At many moments in its history. And this is no exception,” said the president during her morning press conference.
The Mexican leader reacted in this way when she was questioned about whether she would be willing to intervene as a mediator between both countries, whose diplomatic relations have been marked by decades of tensions, and which have worsened after the US president, Donald Trump, announced tariffs on countries that send oil to Cuba.
In this regard, the president of Cuba, Miguel Díaz-Canel, has indicated that Trump is trying to suffocate the island with the oil blockade, especially after the United States took control of the energy in Venezuela, which was its main supplier.
Mexico, for its part, has recognized the shipment of oil to Cuba as part of a humanitarian aid strategy, arguing that it sends less than 1% of the production of Petróleos Mexicanos (Pemex).
However, in recent days it acknowledged that it has stopped shipments to the island to avoid the activation of tariffs by the United States, although it indicated that it will continue sending humanitarian aid.
Sheinbaum stressed that Mexico’s position responds to both constitutional principles and historical convictions.
“We defend the sovereignty of the people by constitution and by conviction, so it is not a matter of one wanting to take the lead, that is not it, it is guaranteeing peace, security and sovereignty,” he said.
When asked what conditions should be met for Mexico to participate in a mediation process, the president insisted that the initiative “has to come from them.”
“We have already said it publicly, privately, but it depends on the conditions being met,” he noted.
He also reiterated that any eventual role for Mexico would not be linked to his personal figure, but to the country’s diplomatic tradition.
“Well, it is not a personal matter. And Mexico, because it is Mexico, it is not the president, it is Mexico, in the best history of our diplomacy and foreign policy, it will always be willing to support the sovereignty of the people and dialogue for the peaceful resolution of conflicts.”
Humanitarian aid without including oil yet
Finally, he pointed out that “this week” he will send humanitarian aid to the island, consisting of food, household goods and basic products, according to the president, who pointed out that his Government seeks to resolve “through all diplomatic channels” the resumption of oil shipments, which are key to sustaining a minimum of activity on the island.
“Obviously, we also have to know their needs from them. It’s not just what Mexico thinks of sending, but what the needs are to be able to send it. So, it’s going to be very transparent and we’re going to inform it,” he concluded.
Mexico will send humanitarian aid to Cuba this week, but without oil yet
The decision occurs in a difficult balance with the United States, which does not stop pressing to cut Cuba’s ties with its allies and has tightened the economic siege with new sanctions.
On Thursday of last week, President Donald Trump signed an executive order that declares Cuba a risk to national security and establishes tariffs on countries that supply oil to the island.
The measure, considered by Havana as a twist to the embargo/blockade of more than six decades, seeks to radically limit Cuba’s access to energy and essential resources.
Cuba’s serious economic, energy and social crisis has worsened since the island stopped receiving oil from Venezuela after the capture of Nicolás Maduro by the United States, an attack that the Government of Havana and Mexico strongly condemned.
EFE/OnCuba.
