The Mexican Embassy in Cuba, in collaboration with the Mexican company Richmeat, has sent a shipment of 100 tons of meat to support families impacted by Hurricane Oscar in the eastern region of the island. In a statement shared on the social platform X (formerly Twitter), the Mexican Embassy in Cuba emphasized that “the Cuban people are not alone” and expressed unwavering support for Miguel Díaz-Canel’s regime, declaring, “United, today and always.”
This statement wasn't the only one from the Mexican diplomatic delegation in Cuba. Additional comments echoed the same propagandistic tone: "Solidarity in action" and "Together we will overcome this challenge," the embassy added regarding the delivery of 100 tons of meat to families affected by Hurricane Oscar.
The hurricane claimed at least seven lives in Guantánamo, though some reports suggest these figures are conservative, with actual numbers likely exceeding 76 missing due to flooding. This is without accounting for the extensive material losses. Many families have lost everything in a country where replacing household items and appliances is both costly and challenging.
Details of the Donation
According to the Mexican newspaper La Jornada, the donation coordinated by the Mexican Embassy in Cuba and Richmeat, the first company to invest in the Mariel Special Development Zone, consists of 250,000 packages of 400 grams each of seasoned ground meat, enough to prepare 750,000 meals. The newspaper reports that the donation will depart this Friday to Guantánamo in five refrigerated trucks and will be handed over to the Ministry of Domestic Trade’s delegation this Saturday to distribute to the affected population. However, there are concerns, based on past incidents, that Cuban authorities might sell the aid instead of distributing it freely to those affected by Hurricane Oscar.
Implications of the Aid
Marcos Rodríguez Costa, Mexico's ambassador to Cuba, considers the donation “a worthy example of the deep relationship” between the two nations. Meanwhile, the Cuban News Agency reports that Richmeat produces around 3,000 metric tons of ground meat monthly and employed more than 160 workers in 2023. Despite starting with just 30 positions in 2019, the company has grown, although the quality of its products remains unconvincing to Cubans.
Richmeat also manufactures sausages under the "Favorita" brand and other meat products sold in dollars through stores managed by the military-run conglomerate GAESA.
Mexico's Foreign Policy Direction
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum of the ruling Morena party has signaled the direction of her foreign policy in her early days in office. While she barred King Felipe VI of Spain from her inauguration ceremony for not apologizing for events five centuries ago, Mexico remains one of the few countries to side with Díaz-Canel’s dictatorship amidst mass blackouts, protests across the island, and the devastation caused by Hurricane Oscar.