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A group of Cubans residing in Mexico demanded that the Cuban Foreign Ministry and its diplomatic representation in Mexico publicly address the allegations of discrimination that their compatriots claim to be facing in Cancun following recent incidents involving Cuban migrants in that city in the state of Quintana Roo.
Through a statement circulated on social media, the signatories expressed their "deep concern" over the absence of an official stance from Cuban authorities regarding what they describe as a climate of exclusion that is already impacting working families unrelated to the events that sparked the controversy.
The document arises after the intense tension generated in Cancún following the viral spread of a video in which a Mexican citizen reported being bitten by a dog and subsequently physically assaulted by the alleged owner of the animal, identified as a Cuban citizen. The case sparked a wave of outrage on social media, protests outside the accused's residence, and a significant police presence to prevent further disturbances.
However, members of the Cuban community claim that the consequences have gone beyond the original incident.
According to the statement, reports collected by the civil organization CISVAC (International Council Supporting Venezuela), which focuses on migrant welfare, reflect cases of Cubans who have lost jobs, faced conflicts related to housing rentals, and suffered employment rejection due to the atmosphere of hostility generated in recent weeks.
"We watched with alarm as this virtual climate has transcended into everyday life, affecting our working families who are completely unaware of these events," the signatories stated.
Residents particularly questioned the lack of public statements from the Cuban Consulate in Cancun, located precisely in the same area where the events that captured the local public's attention took place.
"In light of a situation that required us to protect our integrity and the collective image of our community before the local society, the lack of an official stance has left us in a position of clear social and media vulnerability," they expressed.
The protest also extended to the situation of Cuban migrants who remain stranded in various regions of Mexico or face complex immigration processes after being returned from the United States.
The signatories believe that there is a lack of active diplomatic management to address the issues affecting Cubans in transit or forced return, particularly at the northern Mexican border.
At one of the most critical points of the document, residents also questioned why the Cuban diplomatic representation maintains preferential ties with organizations aligned with the government's official narrative, while— they assert— a large part of the diaspora is excluded from those spaces.
"Diplomacy and consular assistance must be exercised toward all of us in a strict, impartial manner and without any ideological biases," they asserted.
As part of their demands, they requested that the Cuban Foreign Ministry issue a public statement regarding the situation in Cancun, establish communication channels with civil organizations working with migrants, and adopt a more active and inclusive diplomatic approach in defense of all Cuban citizens.
The statement comes amid growing concerns about the increase of xenophobic expressions against Cubans in Cancun. A few days ago, Marylín Torres Leal, president of CISVAC, raised alarms about difficulties in accessing jobs, refusals to rent housing, public insults, and even advertisements specifying that Cubans are not accepted.
"Many people will pay the price for others," the activist warned, highlighting the risk that the situation could continue to escalate if measures are not taken to contain the climate of rejection.
So far, neither the Cuban Embassy in Mexico nor the Cuban Consulate in Cancún has issued public statements in response to the statement from Cuban residents.
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