Claudia Sheinbaum Says ‘Mexico Does Not Kneel or Sell Out’ as U.S. Threatens With Tariffs To Countries Supplying Oil To Cuba

Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum stated that “Mexico doesn’t kneel, doesn’t bow, doesn’t give up and doesn’t promote out,” as tensions develop with the USA over oil shipments to Cuba and new tariff threats from Washington.

Talking at a public ceremony in Querétaro marking the anniversary of Mexico’s 1917 Structure, Sheinbaum stated Mexico “is not going to return to being a colony or protectorate of anybody” and tied the nation’s historical past to “its fixed wrestle for sovereignty and independence.”

She concluded: “Mexico doesn’t kneel, doesn’t bow, doesn’t give up and doesn’t promote out.” She didn’t point out the USA by identify, however her remarks got here amid elevated U.S. strain throughout Latin America.

The feedback comply with a sequence of developments over the previous week concerning Cuba’s gas disaster and U.S. efforts to dam oil provides to the island.

On Monday, Sheinbaum stated Mexico would ship humanitarian help to Cuba however maintain off on oil shipments after presitend Trump signed an government order threatening tariffs on nations that provide oil to the island.

Sheinbaum stated help could be delivered by Mexico’s Navy and embody meals and important items, whereas “the whole lot concerning oil shipments as a consequence of humanitarian causes can be solved by means of diplomatic means.” She added Mexico was “looking out all diplomatic channels” to help Cuba.

On Thursday, Reuters reported that Mexican officers have been exploring methods to ship gas to Cuba with out triggering U.S. retaliation and have been in talks with U.S. counterparts to make clear the scope of the tariff order. Requested about these contacts, the White Home pointed to the president’s earlier assertion that Mexico would cease sending oil.

Cuba’s authorities has warned of worsening shortages with President Miguel Díaz-Canel saying on Thursday that the nation is making ready for “acute gas shortages.” UN Secretary-Basic António Guterres has warned the scenario may “worsen, if not collapse, if its oil wants go unmet,” urging dialogue and respect for worldwide regulation.

Sheinbaum’s feedback additionally come every week after a separate disagreement with Washington over safety cooperation and anti-drug operations. On January 30, Sheinbaum stated Mexico will “by no means settle for joint operations” with the USA on its territory after controversy surrounding the arrest of former Canadian Olympian Ryan Wedding ceremony which derived in conflicting accounts about whether or not FBI personnel took half within the operation in Mexico.

Initially printed on Latin Occasions