Mexican President: "US Must Lift Cuba Export Ban"

[Image source=AP Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Cho Hyun-ui] The President of Mexico has called on the United States to lift the economic blockade against Cuba. He criticized the embargo, which has been in place since the 1960s, as a "distorted policy."

Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, President of Mexico, said at a commemorative ceremony with Miguel Diaz-Canel, President of Cuba, who is visiting Mexico ahead of the Independence Day parade held in Mexico City on the 16th (local time), "No one should benefit from the misfortune of other countries' people to maintain policies or plans."

At the event, President Lopez Obrador said, "I respectfully appeal to the U.S. government to lift the blockade against Cuba," adding, "No country has the right to dominate other peoples and nations." He continued, "I hope that U.S. President Joe Biden, who is politically astute, will end the aggressive policy against Cuba forever through a generous act."

Cuba has recently been experiencing a severe economic crisis due to the U.S. embargo, intensified economic sanctions under the former Donald Trump administration, and the COVID-19 pandemic.

In July, Cuban citizens, unable to endure the hardships of daily life, held an unprecedented anti-government protest. Following this, Mexico quickly sent relief supplies such as food and medicine to Cuba. At that time, the left-wing Lopez Obrador administration also called on the U.S. to lift sanctions against Cuba.

President Diaz-Canel expressed gratitude for Mexico's solidarity and the invitation to this Independence Day event, saying, "We will forever remember Mexico's support for Cuba, which is experiencing an economic crisis."