Mexico City – Former Mexican President Andrés Manuel López Obrador (AMLO) has stepped out of his self-imposed political retirement to call for financial support for Cuba, which is currently facing a severe economic crisis exacerbated by the ongoing U.S. Embargo. López Obrador’s appeal, made via his social media channels on March 14, 2026, directs citizens to donate to a newly formed civil association, Humanidad con América Latina, to help provide essential resources to the island nation. This move has sparked both support and scrutiny, particularly regarding the rapid establishment and authorization of the receiving organization.
The call for donations comes as Cuba grapples with shortages of food, medicine, fuel, and other basic necessities. The U.S. Embargo, a decades-long policy restricting trade and financial transactions with Cuba, has been a persistent challenge to the Cuban economy. Recent tightening of these restrictions, particularly those impacting the acquisition of hydrocarbons, have further intensified the crisis. López Obrador framed the situation as an attack on Cuba’s sovereignty and ideals of freedom, echoing sentiments expressed during previous periods of regional tension. The former president’s intervention highlights the enduring political and ideological connections between Mexico and Cuba, dating back decades.
A Newly Formed Organization: Examining Humanidad con América Latina
The civil association designated to receive donations, Humanidad con América Latina, was officially constituted on March 9, 2026 – just six days before López Obrador’s public appeal. According to reports, the organization swiftly obtained authorization as a donee organization from the Secretaría de Hacienda y Crédito Público (Ministry of Finance and Public Credit) within four business days. This rapid processing has raised questions about the organization’s establishment, and vetting. The Secretary of Finance is currently led by Édgar Amador Zamora.
Carlos Pellicer López, nephew of the renowned Mexican poet Carlos Pellicer Cámara, serves as the legal representative of Humanidad con América Latina. This connection to the Pellicer family is significant, as Carlos Pellicer Cámara played a pivotal role in López Obrador’s early political development. According to journalist Roberto Rock’s book, “La historia detrás del desastre. Crónica de una herencia envenenada,” López Obrador, at the age of 23 in 1976, joined the Institutional Revolutionary Party (PRI) to coordinate the campaign of Carlos Pellicer for a Senate seat representing Tabasco. Pellicer served as a Senator for less than a year.
Rock’s book details how Pellicer provided support to university students struggling with financial hardship in Mexico City, including López Obrador and Humberto Mayans Canabal. Pellicer likewise facilitated introductions for López Obrador to key political figures, including then-Governor of Tabasco, Leandro Rovirosa, and Ignacio Ovalle, who oversaw social programs like Coplamar and the National Indigenous Institute. These early connections underscore the long-standing relationship between López Obrador and the Pellicer family, and the influence Pellicer had on the former president’s political trajectory.
The Call to Action and Donation Details
In his March 14th social media post, López Obrador expressed his distress over the situation in Cuba, stating, “Estoy en retiro, pero me hiere que busquen exterminar, por sus ideales de libertad y defensa de la soberanía, al hermano pueblo de Cuba” (“I am in retirement, but it hurts me that they seek to exterminate, for their ideals of freedom and defense of sovereignty, the brotherly people of Cuba”). He invoked the words of General Lázaro Cárdenas, a former Mexican president, during the 1961 Bay of Pigs invasion, reminding those who see the situation as a foreign affair that “their fate is ours.”
Estoy en retiro, pero me hiere que busquen exterminar, por sus ideales de libertad y defensa de la soberanía, al hermano pueblo de Cuba. A quienes piensan que se trata de un pleito ajeno, les recuerdo lo que dijo el general Cárdenas cuando fue la invasión de playa Girón: «No es…
— Andrés Manuel (@lopezobrador_) March 15, 2026
López Obrador urged citizens to contribute to the purchase of essential goods – food, medicine, petroleum, and gasoline – for the Cuban people. Donations are to be deposited into account number 1358451779 at Banorte, under the name of Humanidad con América Latina. He emphasized that the initiative was driven by citizens, journalists, and writers associated with the organization, and encouraged everyone to contribute according to their means.
Regional Solidarity and Historical Context
Mexico and Cuba share a long history of political and diplomatic ties. Following the 1959 Cuban Revolution, Mexico was one of the first countries to recognize Fidel Castro’s government, providing political asylum and support during a period of international isolation. This historical solidarity has continued through successive administrations, although the nature and extent of the relationship have varied. The current situation reflects a continuation of this tradition of support, albeit initiated by a former president outside of formal governmental channels.
The U.S. Embargo against Cuba, first imposed in 1962, remains a significant point of contention in international relations. While the embargo has been modified and tightened over the years, it continues to restrict U.S. Businesses and individuals from engaging in most commercial activities with Cuba. The embargo’s impact on the Cuban economy is widely debated, with proponents arguing it pressures the Cuban government to implement democratic reforms, while critics contend it inflicts hardship on the Cuban people. The U.S. State Department provides detailed information on the embargo and U.S. Policy towards Cuba.
The Role of Civil Society and International Aid
The appeal for aid to Cuba highlights the role of civil society organizations in providing humanitarian assistance during times of crisis. Organizations like Humanidad con América Latina can serve as conduits for donations and facilitate the delivery of essential goods. However, the speed with which this particular organization was established and authorized has prompted questions about transparency and oversight. Effective aid delivery requires careful coordination and accountability to ensure that resources reach those who need them most.
The Cuban government has, in the past, accepted aid from various countries and international organizations. However, the government’s control over the distribution of aid has sometimes been a source of concern, with critics alleging that aid is not always distributed equitably or efficiently. The success of this latest effort will depend on the ability of Humanidad con América Latina to operate transparently and ensure that donations are used effectively to address the urgent needs of the Cuban population.
Eugenio Martínez Enríquez, the Cuban ambassador to Mexico, expressed gratitude for López Obrador’s gesture, stating that the Cuban people feel supported by their Mexican counterparts. This sentiment underscores the strong cultural and political bonds between the two nations.
Looking Ahead
The situation in Cuba remains precarious, and the need for humanitarian assistance is likely to persist. The effectiveness of this fundraising effort, spearheaded by López Obrador and channeled through Humanidad con América Latina, will be closely watched. Further scrutiny of the organization’s operations and financial transparency will be crucial to ensure accountability and build public trust. The next step will be monitoring the flow of funds and the delivery of aid to Cuba, with updates expected from both Humanidad con América Latina and the Cuban government in the coming weeks.
We encourage readers to share their thoughts on this developing story and to engage in constructive dialogue about the challenges facing Cuba and the role of international solidarity.