[News] AMLO's harsh criticism of the US for the embargo on Cuba (and how Mexico is helping the island)

[Warlock-]

"BBC"

 

 

 

Cuba is an "example of resistance" and "deserves to be declared a World Heritage Site." When Andrés Manuel López Obrador (AMLO) spoke these words over the weekend and spoke out against the embargo and sanctions by the United States, he himself acknowledged that they could provoke "anger in some or many." That did not prevent this Tuesday from reinforcing criticism of its northern neighbor by describing the economic embargo that the United States has maintained on the island for decades as a "medieval action". "We may have differences, but a people cannot be condemned to hunger, to disease," said the Mexican president on Tuesday in reference to the health and economic crisis that Cuba is going through. The harsh words against Washington's policy follow the praise that AMLO gave Cuba over the weekend during a ceremony before representatives of American countries, including the Cuban Foreign Minister himself, Bruno Rodríguez, who afterwards described as "transcendental "His speech and thanked Mexico" for its leadership and solidarity. "

 

The admiration and good harmony of the Mexican president towards the Caribbean island is not new. But his stance on the allegations of violence by the Cuban government during the recent protests in the country has received harsh criticism and questioning. Already on July 12, AMLO expressed his "solidarity with the Cuban people" and exhorted "everyone not to opt for the use of force" but rather "let the Cubans resolve these issues peacefully." But there was no mention of the questioned performance of the Caribbean government.

 

Despite the fact that his usual discourse is that of non-interference in the affairs of other countries, the Mexican did instead focus on requesting the suspension of the US embargo. This Tuesday, he described it as "inhuman" and revealed that he received a letter from the Cuban president, Miguel Díaz-Canel, in which he explained the "difficult situation due to the blockade" in the country.

 

To show its support, Mexico announced last week the dispatch of two ships with supplies within the framework of what it called "humanitarian assistance" to Cuba, which in addition to the protests is experiencing its worst health moment since the pandemic began and a harsh economic crisis. Just a day earlier, the US had tightened sanctions against some Cuban officials after the crackdown on the latest demonstrations. Despite acting against the current of his neighbor to the north, AMLO insisted that other countries should join in sending aid.

 

This Sunday, two planes with about 90 tons of humanitarian aid donated by Russia landed in Havana. "It is not enough to vote every year at the UN against the blockade," said AMLO, who appealed for this political stance "to now become facts and help the people of Cuba."

 

Call to other countries

 

It remains to be seen if this call from the Mexican president is effective and manages to lead a current of tangible change in the diplomatic relations that the world currently maintains towards Cuba. "I have no doubt that no one else is going to follow the example of a president who is living by the ideals towards Cuba and the Revolution of the 60s and 70s. It would be ridiculous," disagrees Luis Rubio, president of the Mexico Evalúa think tank. According to the analyst, "Russia continues to do so for historical reasons, for its logic that responds to a pragmatic vision." And Argentina? "Perhaps, I do not doubt it. President (Alberto) Fernández has shown to have an ideological position similar to López Obrador, but he has a vision of the 21st century, not the 70s," he tells BBC Mundo. The two Mexican aid ships, which will depart this Tuesday and Wednesday from the port of Veracruz, contain medical supplies such as syringes, face masks and oxygen tanks. Food and diesel gasoline will also be shipped.

 

"Faced with this situation of blockade, wanting to politically subdue the Cuban people, the Cuban government, we made the decision to help, to be in solidarity," the president explained.