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The President of Mexico, Claudia Sheinbaum, stated that her government will continue to send humanitarian aid to Cuba amid the economic crisis the island is facing, while also defending the solidarity of the Mexican people with other nations in difficult situations.
During her morning conference, the leader asserted that support for Cuba is rooted in a historical tradition of international solidarity that is part of Mexico's national identity.
“There is a seal in the people of Mexico, which is fraternal solidarity. Mexico, our people, is characterized by this, by helping one another, by helping each other in the family”, Sheinbaum expressed when asked about the recent shipment of vessels with supplies destined for the island.
The president emphasized that this spirit of solidarity is not only evident in the daily lives of Mexicans but also in the country's foreign policy.
"The solidarity of the people of Mexico with all the peoples of the world is always present, especially when they are experiencing a very difficult situation, as is the case with the people of Cuba at this moment," he stated.
Sheinbaum also reiterated that her administration will continue to provide that support as long as necessary.
“We will continue to send humanitarian aid in whatever is needed,” he emphasized.
The statements from the leader come after Mexico recently sent two ships with supplies aimed at assisting the Cuban population, amidst the worsening energy and economic crisis affecting the island.
However, the president did not address another issue that has generated debate in recent weeks: the shipment of Mexican oil to Cuba.
So far, Sheinbaum has not provided any new comments on that issue, even after the Trump administration recently lifted the sanctions that were placed on a Pemex subsidiary related to those supplies.
The controversy over the destination of donations
Sheinbaum's statements come amid a controversy sparked by a report from the Mexican channel TV Azteca, which questions the destination of part of the aid sent from Mexico to Cuba.
The Cuban ambassador in Mexico, Eugenio Martínez Enríquez, rejected the accusations and assured that the donated products are not being sold in foreign currency stores on the island.
In a post shared on Facebook, the diplomat accused the Mexican media of spreading "lies and misinformation" about the humanitarian aid sent by the government and by Mexican citizens.
According to the ambassador, the aid—comprising food, medicines, and other supplies—is being distributed free of charge among vulnerable sectors of the Cuban population, such as pregnant women, children, the sick, and the elderly.
The diplomat also stated that some of the Mexican products available for sale in Cuba are not donations, but rather goods imported through commercial contracts.
The report that sparked the debate
The controversy arose following the release of an investigation presented by journalist Rodrigo Lema on TV Azteca, which claims that products sent as humanitarian aid from Mexico are being sold in state-owned stores in Cuba that operate in dollars.
According to the report, some donated foods — including the so-called "bean of wellbeing" — may have ended up in the commercial circuit in foreign currency, managed by state-owned companies connected to the Cuban military apparatus.
The research indicates that bundles of 30 kilograms of beans are offered for about 43 dollars at wholesale distributors, while in state stores, the product is sold for roughly 2.97 dollars per half kilogram.
The report also includes testimonies from citizens who claim they have not received those food supplies despite the arrival of ships with humanitarian aid to the Bay of Havana.
Response from the Cuban government
Cuban authorities also denied the allegations. The Ministry of Domestic Trade (MINCIN) stated that it is false that the products donated by Mexico are being sold in stores for foreign currency.
According to the organization, the food sent as humanitarian aid continues to be distributed free of charge through the country's network of warehouses.
The ministry also assured that the delivery of the products is ongoing and urged the public to obtain information solely through official channels.
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