“Mexico-Cuba relationship is historic. Mexico was the only country that initially opposed the blockade (imposed by the United States). So, regardless of the political party, there has been a Mexico-Cuba relationship,” she emphasized.

Sheinbaum was responding to a question about oil shipments to Cuba, which has been besieged for more than 60 years by an economic, commercial, and financial embargo imposed by Washington that, according to experts, constitutes the main obstacle to the island’s development.

Mentioning energy cooperation and the decades-long visits between Cuban and Mexican leaders, the head of the Executive Branch emphasized: “This is not a new situation, and everything is done within the framework of the law and also for humanitarian reasons, for the benefit of the Cuban people.”

She reiterated Mexico’s sovereignty and mentioned that it is continuing a series of support measures that her nation has historically provided to the island.

Sheinbaum affirmed that Mexico’s position regarding Cuba will remain the same, “as it has been since (former President Adolfo) Lopez Mateos (1958-1964).”

The official noted that this has been a constant issue in the Mexico-United States relationship since the triumph of the Cuban Revolution in 1959 and stated that the relationship with the island “has always been a point of contention” between the administrations of the two neighboring countries.

jdt/mem/las