The Republican congresswoman from Florida, María Elvira Salazar, made a strong public demand against the Mexican government regarding its relationship with Cuba during a hearing of the House Foreign Affairs Committee in the United States.
The Cuban-American legislator directly questioned the Mexican president, Claudia Sheinbaum, regarding what she referred to as sustained support for the "tyranny" in Cuba, focusing her criticism on the supply of oil and the program of Cuban doctors operating in Mexican territory.
In a video recorded from Washington and shared on her Facebook account, Salazar explained that she had the opportunity to question the Mexican president about two issues that she finds particularly concerning.
The first, he stated, is the shipment of oil to Cuba.
According to him, over a period of four months, Mexico would have given the Island around 3 billion dollars in crude oil, with a total of 55 tankers having arrived in Cuba loaded with oil.
"But why? If all he is doing is helping the tyranny," he questioned.
The second point highlighted by Salazar was the agreement under which more than 3,000 Cuban doctors are providing services in Mexico.
The legislator reported that this program involves the payment of more than 100 million dollars to the Cuban government, while health professionals receive only a small portion of their salary.
"Everyone knows that Cuban doctors are being treated as slaves and are being exported for exploitation, and that the government of Mexico, in this case, is giving that money to the Castro tyranny," he stated.
In his speech, he described that scheme as a form of "modern slavery" and human trafficking, detailing that approximately 95% of doctors' salaries are withheld by the Cuban state, with only about 5% reaching the workers.
María Elvira stated that this practice violates provisions of the Agreement between Mexico, the United States, and Canada (T-MEC or USMCA), which prohibits human trafficking and any form of labor exploitation among the signatory countries.
"That’s why I am asking President Sheinbaum to understand that if she wants to have Cuban doctors, she should pay the doctors directly, so that they receive what they deserve, so they can be rewarded for their efforts, so they can receive their salary, instead of giving it to the Castro government," he emphasized.
He also warned that the trade agreement will need to be reviewed next year and that the U.S. Congress will be vigilant in ensuring that Mexico complies with those standards.
"Why does Mexico continue to support the Cuban dictatorship?" Salazar asks.
Speaking before the Foreign Relations Committee, the Cuban-American politician stated that while Mexico chooses to align itself with dictatorships, the country is facing a crisis of drugs, violence, and corruption.
"President Sheinbaum faces a dilemma: to defend freedom and democracy or to support dictators. The Western Hemisphere needs leaders, not spectators," she expressed.
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