Mexican President Sheinbaum Responds To Top U.S. Official's Criticism To Stance On Cuba Blockade

Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau criticized Mexico's comments at the United Nations urging the U.S. to lift what it described as a "commercial blockade" of Cuba, arguing that "there is no such thing and urging debate "based on reality and not fantasies."

Landau, responding to a post by Mexico's Foreign Ministry, said he was "sad as a friend of Mexico" to see the claim and contended that Cuba "freely receives goods and visitors from many countries," adding that U.S. measures are a domestically enacted embargo restricting transactions by U.S. persons.

"It is obviously OUR sovereign right to decide that we will not allow our own people to economically support a hostile foreign regime," Landau wrote, asserting that Havana uses the "blockade" narrative to deflect from "poor economic management."

Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum responded to Landau's comments later on Thursday, saying that Mexico's foreign policy "is defined by Mexico" and grounded in constitutional principles, stressing the country's longstanding support for Cuba.

"We are a sovereign, free, independent country, and foreign policy is defined by Mexicans," she said, noting that an "overwhelming majority" of nations voted to end the measures against Cuba. She added that while Mexico maintains a good relationship with the United States, "there are obviously issues on which we do not agree," and emphasized resolving disputes through dialogue, saying she expects additional trade agreements soon.

Landau's post followed remarks at the U.N. by Mexico's permanent representative, Héctor Vasconcelos, who denounced what he called "continued disregard" for the General Assembly's repeated votes urging an end to the U.S. economic, commercial and financial measures against Cuba.

Vasconcelos said Mexico "rejects sanctions and commercial blockades that only harm the well-being of peoples," condemned the application of Title III of the Helms-Burton Act, and argued that unilateral pressure on another state "contravenes the principles of the U.N. Charter" and Mexico's foreign-policy principles.

Vasoconcelos added that Cuba faces a severe economic crisis worsened by U.S. actions, pandemic effects, global oil prices, and natural disasters, and concluded that obstructing economic development "is contrary to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals."

The U.N. vote passed by a wide margin, with the United States and several allies opposed, while Mexico reiterated its position that the measures should end. Landau maintained that the policy debate belongs to the U.S. domestic sphere and criticized partners who "perpetuate this myth."