The Government of Mexico assured that it will maintain humanitarian aid to Cuba and other countries that require it, despite US President Donald Trump’s ads on the imposition of tariffs on nations that send direct or indirect assistance to the island.
Foreign Minister Juan Ramón de la Fuente affirmed this Saturday before deputies of the ruling National Regeneration Movement (Morena) that Mexican foreign policy is governed by constitutional principles and international law, such as non-intervention, self-determination of peoples, cooperation for development and respect for human rights.
“We do not accept that there is no humanitarian aid when any country in the world requires it and we will continue to do so. Mexico will always do everything in its power so that humanitarian aid arrives when it is needed,” said the head of Foreign Relations.
The statements come after Trump announced tariffs against countries that supply aid to Cuba, a measure aimed mainly at energy shipments from Mexico, currently one of the island’s main oil suppliers.
On Friday, President Claudia Sheinbaum warned that these types of trade barriers could aggravate the situation in Cuba and lead to a humanitarian crisis. However, he stressed that his government will look for mechanisms to maintain solidarity “without putting Mexico at risk.”
Mexico warns of a “far-reaching humanitarian crisis” in Cuba if it does not receive oil
De la Fuente also pointed out that diplomatic dialogue is essential to face this type of situation and that, in some cases, it must be developed with discretion to be effective.
The issue escalated this week after Sheinbaum instructed the Foreign Ministry to evaluate the scope of the measures announced by Trump. Subsequently, the Mexican Foreign Minister held a conversation with the US Secretary of State, Marco Rubio, according to official sources.
For his part, the Secretary of Economy, Marcelo Ebrard, stated that Mexican humanitarian aid is not limited to Cuba, but has been sent to various countries, and even recalled that the United States Department of State itself has recently sent humanitarian assistance to the island.
De la Fuente highlighted that Mexico maintains this policy of international support also in cases of natural disasters, with the same priority as when they occur within its territory.
