The conflict in Cuba alienates the governments of Mexico and the United States

Protests against the Cuban government, Miguel Diaz-Colonel, which has already claimed one death and hundreds of prisoners, have led to the splitting of positions on the island, as well as Mexican President Andres Manuel Lpez Obrador and US President Joe Biden.

After the protests began on Sunday, Biden said his government was “committed to upholding the rights of the Cuban people”, while Lopez Obrador ended the siege and rejected media and media manipulation of “foreign” intervention. “

“There is a clear difference with the United States because the White House’s message is decisive that the island needs independence and democracy, but it has been banned,” said Brenda Estepan, a researcher who worked at the Mexican embassy in Washington.

Between trade and pressure

Strong protests have taken place in Cuba since the 1994 “Malconazo”, when the island is in an economic and health crisis, the epidemic is at its worst and there is a shortage of food, medicine and basic products, in addition to power cuts.

Biden’s answer is “respectable and measured”, but in the same vein as his predecessors, explains Gabriel de la Boss, a professor of North American studies at Technologico de Montreux.

“It’s no different from what anyone will do before him. The only difference with (Donald) Trump is that Trump spoke and was insulted, but I think neither (George W.) Bush nor (Bill) Clinton nor (Barack) Obama” will say anything else. ” The expert mentions.

Despite Biden’s pressure from Cuban-American voters, Lopez Obrador is responding to a platform seeking foreign policy gestures in support of the Latin American left.

“We have a president in Mexico who has an ideological relationship with Cuba. He has been one of the Mexican left flags since the 1960s. Lopez Obrador’s statements go in that direction.

However, the expert rejects the conflict between the United States and Mexico because this issue is no longer important to the average American since the end of the Cold War.

“If our president thinks differently that Joe Biden is also within his rights, Cuba will no longer be so relevant within the United States. Biden now has a number of internal issues very urgent,” he notes.

SEIZURE

Stephen recalled that despite the controversy over Lopez Obrador’s insistence on ending the siege of Cuba, Mexico’s position had always been one of “neutrality” and “diplomacy” with Havana.

“It has been brilliant over time, maintaining diplomatic relations and dialogue with the Havana government, which need to continue, and it has not changed greatly,” he explains.

The analyst points out that Mexico’s demand is not unique, as the United Nations General Assembly voted almost unanimously in June against the embargo, which tightened 243 sanctions during the Trump administration.

Since the “embargo has had a negative impact on the island’s economy,” Stephen asks to acknowledge the nuances of the conflict and Mexico’s position, although Thiaz-Colonel and Castro used it as a “political crutch”.

“What I disagree with is that there is no definite protection for the personal freedoms of Cubans, not only about the freedom of self-determination of the people, but also about the basic individual, social, political and civil rights of Mexico,” he said.

Mexican polarization

Meanwhile, the Cuban embassy in Mexico has been the first protest group since Sunday, marked by protests against support groups and Lopez Obrador.

Business and conservative groups have criticized the president’s offer to send medicine and food to Cuba.

“The US government has already demanded respect for the Cuban community, and we must ask our government for that,” said Renே Polio, chairman of the Mexican Commission on Human Rights (CMDH).