The leaders of Mexico, Spain and Brazil called on Cuba to respect its sovereignty as it continues to face threats from the United States.
The joint statement emerged from a meeting of left-wing leaders in Spain and pledged to send humanitarian aid to the crisis-hit island.
The plea comes as President Donald Trump’s administration steps up punitive measures against the Communist-run island to force change in its political system.
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez and Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva said in a joint statement on Saturday, “We are deeply concerned about the serious humanitarian crisis facing the Cuban people,” and added, “International law and the principles of territorial integrity, sovereign equality and peaceful resolution of disputes must always be respected.”
Although the United States was not directly mentioned, it appears to have been aimed at the White House as tensions between the two countries are increasing. A U.S. Navy reconnaissance drone was observed flying over the Cuban coast for several hours after news broke Wednesday that the Pentagon was stepping up preparations for an operation against Cuba, and President Trump promised that a “new dawn for Cuba” was imminent.
But hope for a peaceful resolution still remains. Havana and Washington are currently conducting formal diplomatic negotiations. A U.S. government delegation visited Havana on Friday, the first visit by an official U.S. government plane since former President Barack Obama’s visit in 2016.
The U.S. delegation reportedly informed its Cuban counterpart that it saw an end to political repression, the release of high-profile political prisoners, and economic liberalization as prerequisites for easing the long-standing economic and commercial embargo against Cuba.
According to UN experts, these sanctions, which have historically been condemned by the majority of the international community at the UN General Assembly, have created widespread material shortages on the island and hindered the island’s ability to engage in international trade and commerce.
Recently, the United States designated Cuba as a national security threat and strengthened sanctions, including blocking most of the oil heading to Cuba. As a result of the strengthened measures, Cuba is facing a serious humanitarian and economic crisis.
The support commitments from Sheinbaum, Lula and Sánchez are the latest in a series of international aid offers and deliveries. The Sheinbaum government has already sent humanitarian supplies to the island, and the Chinese, Chilean and Canadian administrations have also sent or promised to send aid to the island.
Also, last March, a private humanitarian aid group was organized to bring food, medicine, and solar equipment to Cuba.
Featured Image: Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez and Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva during their visit to Brazil in 2024.
Image source: Ricardo Stuckert via Flickr
patent: Creative Commons License
