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Former Mexican President Felipe Calderón (2006-2012) publicly criticized Andrés Manuel López Obrador after his reappearance to request donations for Cuba, using the situation of independent journalist Yoani Sánchez as an example, who was prevented by State Security agents from leaving her home in Havana this Sunday.
"A look, those who are asking for money in the name of the freedom of the Cuban people: explain to the brave @yoanisanchez why she cannot leave her house?" wrote Calderón on the social network X while sharing a video in which the journalist documents the moment a plainclothes officer blocks her from leaving her building.
The former Mexican president reacted this way to the recent initiative from López Obrador, who reappeared in public life after stepping down from the presidency in 2024, to call for a fundraising campaign to support Cuba amid its severe economic crisis.
In the video shared by Sánchez, the director of the independent newspaper 14ymedio confronts a man dressed in civilian clothes, with his face covered, who prevents her from leaving the lower level of her building without showing a legal order or identifying himself.
"This is in the lower level of my building, and I have encountered this citizen dressed in civilian clothes who has not identified himself, has his face covered... and claims that he is not going to let me leave," the journalist explains while recording.
When Sánchez asked her who had ordered the measure, the agent replied that he couldn't say and implied that she already knew. The activist then denounced that it was a violation of her rights.
"I am a citizen who has not committed any crimes, is not being judged in a court, does not have a restraining order, and is not under house arrest. So, why won't you let me go?" she demanded.
The journalist also stated that the man was not the only one stationed outside her home and pointed out the presence of other individuals who, she claimed, were part of the surveillance operation.
This is not the first time Sánchez has faced movement restrictions. On January 28, she was detained by State Security agents while heading to a diplomatic reception at the residence of the head of the U.S. mission in Havana.
The controversy between Calderón and López Obrador arises after the former Mexican president invited citizens to donate money to the civil association "Humanidad con América Latina," recently established to send aid to Cuba.
According to the explanation, the funds would be used to procure food, medicine, oil, and gasoline intended for the island.
"I am retired, but it pains me that they seek to exterminate, for their ideals of freedom and defense of sovereignty, the brotherly people of Cuba," wrote López Obrador while announcing the initiative, accompanied by a call for financial contributions.
The campaign was quickly celebrated by the Cuban leader Miguel Díaz-Canel, who publicly expressed his gratitude for the gesture.
“Thank you, dear brother López Obrador. On behalf of Cuba, I will never tire of expressing gratitude for Mexico's generous solidarity and support,” the leader stated on X.
The exchange takes place amid the deep crisis that Cuba is experiencing, marked by shortages of food, medicine, and fuel, as well as prolonged blackouts affecting millions of citizens. The situation has generated increasing social unrest within the island and has once again placed Cuba at the center of the regional political debate.
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