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The Cuban leader Miguel Díaz-Canel publicly thanked the government of Mexico for sending humanitarian aid to the island, a gesture he shared both on his official Facebook account and on his profile on X, where he highlighted the “solidarity” of the northern country with Cuba.
The message made a direct reference to the shipment of more than 800 tons of food and basic products transported on two ships of the Mexican Navy that set sail from the port of Veracruz heading to the island, an operation described by the Mexican Secretary of Foreign Affairs as part of its humanitarian aid policy towards Cuba.
Far from generating consensus, the presidential gratitude sparked a wave of critical reactions on social media, where numerous Cubans and also Mexican citizens questioned the regime's structural dependence on external aid. "What can ordinary people do for you?" wrote a user, summarizing the exhaustion with a system that fails to sustain the country.
Other comments pointed directly to the government's inability. "They have never been able to sustain Cuba on their own. It's shameful that they have to beg for food from other countries because they can't even provide a decent quality of life for the people," noted another internet user.
One of the most frequently voiced criticisms was the suspicion that the aid does not reach the civilian population. "That aid isn't for the people. It will go to the military, the leaders, and their families," commented one user, while another added, "And then you go and sell it to the people."
Messages also emerged from Mexico rejecting the allocation of resources. “This is support from the government of Mexico, not from the citizens. Mexico needs those resources, and not to sustain dictatorships,” wrote a user, emphasizing the divide between the official decision and the sentiments of part of the public opinion.
The narrative of solidarity has been sharply criticized by those who believe that the regime has relied on external donations for decades. “They have been asking for solidarity for over 60 years without contributing anything. Until when?” expressed another comment that encapsulates the discomfort.
Amidst the debate, several users insisted that any assistance should directly benefit the population. "It's for the people, do you read me? For the people," one user claimed. "That bread is for the Cuban people, not for those who have been oppressing them since 1959."
The reactions reflect a deep discontent that goes beyond the timely provision of food and once again raises a recurring question among Cubans: how long will the country continue to depend on external aid while the political power remains intact?
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