The president of Mexico, Claudia Sheinbaum, demanded on Monday that the United Nations send humanitarian aid to Cuba and reaffirmed that her government will continue with its own shipments,
"We will continue to send humanitarian aid. And yes, we assert, and we will always assert, the right of the Cuban people to self-determination, and that in the face of any conflict, the means to be used should be multilateral avenues, the United Nations, and that the United Nations should also send humanitarian aid," in statements made during his morning press conference, as reported by the EFE agency.
Sheinbaum also announced thedispatch of a new ship with humanitarian aid to Cuba.
"Today another humanitarian aid ship is leaving Mexico for the island, for the Cuban people, and we will send all the humanitarian assistance that is needed," declared the leader.
Sheinbaum also revealed that her government is examining mechanisms to send fuel to Cuba without exposing Mexico to reprisals. "We are also exploring options for fuel to arrive without affecting Mexico, such as humanitarian aid or even through commercial agreements," she stated. The official explicitly ruled out any violent solution: "No invasion, no violent solution," she emphasized, and insisted that Mexico is maintaining active communication both with Havana and Washington.
The background of these statements is an extremely serious energy crisis in Cuba. The Executive Order 14380 of the Trump administration, in effect since January 30, threatens tariffs on countries that supply crude oil to the island, which led Pemex to halt its shipments on January 27.
This was compounded by the sudden interruption of Venezuelan supply of between 25,000 and 30,000 barrels per day. The result: blackouts lasting up to 20 and 25 hours daily affecting 64% of the Cuban territory and a health system on the brink of collapse, with over 16,000 cancer patients lacking adequate treatment, as confirmed by UN spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric on March 10.
The in Cuba and launched a 74 million dollar plan, of which it has mobilized 23 million for one million vulnerable people. However, the organization urges a humanitarian exemption mechanism in the United States' oil sanctions, a gap in which Sheinbaum calls for greater multilateral involvement.
Mexico has sent at least four shipments of humanitarian aid to Cuba between February and March, including one consisting of nearly 1,200 tons of provisions. The Mexican Foreign Minister reaffirmed on Sunday at CELAC the government's commitment: "We will continue to provide all the assistance we can to the Cuban people." According to the Economist Intelligence Unit, the Cuban economy could contract by 7.2% in 2026, resulting in a total decline of 23% since 2019.
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