MEXICO CITY — Mexico-Cuba solidarity shone brightly in the heart of Mexico City on Feb. 14, 2026, as the campaign “De pueblo a pueblo, acabemos con el bloqueo” (From people to people, let’s end the blockade) kicked off at the Zócalo. Organized by the militant solidarity collective Va por Cuba and the Association of Cuban Residents in Mexico “José Martí,” the drive collects food and medicines for the island nation facing severe shortages.
From early morning, people streamed in. Young people, families, retirees, workers, office employees and teachers arrived with bags, boxes and sacks. Donations included rice, beans, powdered milk, sardines, canned tuna and essential medicines.
The atmosphere buzzed with activity. Cuban and Mexican flags flew alongside portraits of revolutionary leaders like Fidel Castro and Ernesto “Che” Guevara. Volunteers worked nonstop to classify and pack the contributions.
The collection center remains open until Feb. 22. Organizers expect the flow of support to continue steadily.
Olivia Garza, vice president of the José Martí association, spoke to local media. “We have seen a massive response from the Mexican people. Even before the tent opened, lines formed with donations ready,” she said, calling the turnout impressive.
Francisco Rosas López, from Va por Cuba, echoed the sentiment. “We expected a good response, but not this volume. People keep coming — it’s been constant,” he said. He described the Mexican people’s reaction as “formidable.”
Geopolitical context
Mexico-Cuba solidarity emerges amid a sharpened U.S. campaign to isolate Cuba economically in 2026. President Donald Trump’s Jan. 29 executive order declared a national emergency and authorized tariffs on imports from any country supplying oil to Cuba. The measure, invoking the International Emergency Economic Powers Act, has deterred traditional suppliers like Venezuela and pressured others such as Mexico, leading to severe fuel shortages. Rolling blackouts stretch up to 20 hours in parts of Cuba, crippling hospitals, food production, water pumping and transportation. U.N. human rights experts condemned the order as a violation of international law and an act of extraterritorial coercion. The crisis risks humanitarian collapse and regional instability, challenging Latin American sovereignty and integration. Grassroots efforts in Mexico, alongside government aid shipments, signal resistance to unilateral pressure, reinforcing historical ties and the principle that no nation should face economic strangulation alone. This solidarity could inspire similar actions across the Global South, weakening coercive tools and bolstering multilateral calls to end the decades-long U.S. blockade.
Campaign aims and message
The initiative carries a clear purpose: Cuba is not alone in its struggle against the U.S.-imposed blockade. Organizers stress that the effort transcends governments or ideologies. It centers on the Cuban people, who face attempts to subdue them through hunger, and defends the sovereignty of Latin American nations.
Donors are responding powerfully. The campaign demonstrates an unbreakable friendship between the Mexican and Cuban peoples. This solidarity, activists declare, defends all of Latin America. It rejects external attempts to dictate regional relations.
Broader Mexican support actions
This drive joins other visible expressions of backing. On Feb. 12, two Mexican Navy ships docked in Havana with over 814 tons of humanitarian aid. The cargo included milk, meat products, beans, rice, tuna, sardines, vegetable oil and hygiene items.
President Claudia Sheinbaum pledged more shipments. “As soon as the vessels return, additional support will follow,” she said. She described Mexico’s role as opening doors for dialogue while prioritizing Cuba’s sovereignty. Sheinbaum has offered humanitarian air bridges if needed. Mexico continues diplomatic efforts to resume oil flows without violating international commitments.
Impact of the U.S. fuel blockade
Trump’s executive order threatens tariffs on goods from oil-supplying countries. It has effectively choked Cuba’s access to petroleum. Hospitals operate under strain. Power generation falters. Food distribution slows. Water supply faces disruptions. Organizations warn of paralysis across critical sectors, arguing that depriving Cuba of fuel amounts to collective punishment. U.N. experts labeled the measure a grave threat to an equitable global order, citing its use of extraterritorial coercion against sovereign trade.
People’s response and diplomatic echoes
Cuban Ambassador Eugenio Martínez Enríquez expressed deep gratitude. On X, he shared images from the Zócalo, hugging participants in “the beautiful manifestation of solidarity.”
“Cuba is not alone. Thanks, Mexico!” he posted. Hundreds contributed material aid, showing unbreakable bonds. The campaign builds on historical ties. Mexican and Cuban peoples share a legacy of mutual support in times of adversity.
Volunteers continue sorting donations. The Zócalo tent buzzes with activity as more people arrive daily. Mexico-Cuba solidarity proves resilient. Despite external pressures, grassroots action prioritizes human needs and regional dignity. The drive sends a powerful message: ordinary people can counter policies of isolation through concrete acts of compassion.
As the collection continues until Feb. 22, contributions keep pouring in. This effort underscores that solidarity remains a living force in Latin America.
Source: La Jornada – Cuba Debate
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