Amid US tensions, Mexico, Spain, Brazil urge respectful dialogue with Cuba

MEXICO CITY: Mexico, Spain and Brazil voiced concern Saturday over the “dramatic situation” in Cuba, which has faced months of pressure from US President Donald Trump, with the trio urging “sincere and respectful dialogue.”

Without explicitly mentioning the United States, the three leftist-led countries expressed “deep concern regarding the grave humanitarian crisis that the people of Cuba are enduring, and call for the adoption of necessary measures to alleviate this situation.”

The countries, in a joint statement issued by Mexico’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, called for a “sincere and respectful dialogue” in line with international law.

The purpose of such a dialogue should be to “find a lasting solution to the current situation and to ensure that it is the Cuban people themselves who decide their own future in full freedom,” the statement said.

The appeal came as a summit of leftist leaders is taking place in Barcelona, led by Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez, one of the biggest critics of the United States and Israel’s bombing campaigns in the Middle East.

Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum and Brazil’s Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva were among the attendees, who called for efforts to “protect democracy.”

Cuba has been bracing for a possible attack following repeated warnings from Trump that Cuba is “next” after he toppled Venezuela’s leader Nicolas Maduro and went to war against Iran.

Trump has imposed an oil blockade of Cuba, aggravating the island’s worst economic and energy crisis in decades.