Spain, Mexico and Brazil have jointly called for a respectful dialogue with Cuba amid growing concerns over the island nation’s deepening economic and humanitarian crisis, according to statements made during a left-wing leaders’ summit in Barcelona.
The appeal, voiced by Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum and Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, underscores rising international alarm over widespread shortages of food, medicine and fuel in Cuba, as well as persistent restrictions on civil liberties. The three leaders emphasized that any engagement with Havana must be grounded in mutual respect for sovereignty and human rights, although urging the Cuban government to initiate meaningful reforms to alleviate the suffering of its population.
The remarks came on the sidelines of the Progressive International Summit held in Barcelona from May 10 to 12, 2024, an annual gathering of left-wing political figures, trade unionists and social movements from across Latin America, Europe and Africa. The summit, co-hosted by Sánchez’s government and the Progressive International network, focused on global inequality, climate justice and democratic renewal, with Cuba’s situation emerging as a central topic of debate among attendees.
According to verified reports from the summit’s official communiqué and statements released by the participating leaders’ offices, Sánchez described the situation in Cuba as “dramatic” and urged the Cuban authorities to engage in open dialogue without preconditions. Sheinbaum and Lula echoed this sentiment, stressing that regional solidarity should not preclude honest criticism when fundamental needs are unmet.
“We believe in solidarity among nations of the Global South, but solidarity does not imply silence in the face of suffering,” Sheinbaum said in a press briefing on May 11, as reported by Reuters. “The Cuban people deserve access to basic goods, and the international community has a responsibility to encourage dialogue that respects both dignity and sovereignty.”
Lula, whose foreign policy has consistently emphasized dialogue over confrontation, added that Brazil remains ready to facilitate talks between Cuba and its international partners, provided Havana shows willingness to address systemic challenges. “We have maintained relations with Cuba through decades of political change,” Lula stated. “Our goal is not to impose solutions, but to support a process where the Cuban people can determine their own future.”
The call for dialogue reflects a nuanced shift in Latin American leftist diplomacy, where traditional allies of the Cuban government are increasingly vocal about the need for internal reform. While Mexico and Brazil have historically avoided public criticism of Havana, recent economic data and humanitarian assessments have prompted a reassessment of engagement strategies.
According to the World Food Programme, over 70% of Cuba’s population faces moderate to severe food insecurity, with monthly food rations covering less than half of daily nutritional needs. The United Nations Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC) reported in April 2024 that Cuba’s GDP contracted by 2% in 2023, marking the third consecutive year of economic decline, driven by declining tourism revenues, reduced remittances and persistent U.S. Sanctions.
Access to medicine remains critically limited. The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) confirmed in March 2024 that essential pharmaceuticals, including antibiotics and insulin, are intermittently available across the island, with distribution hampered by fuel shortages and bureaucratic delays. Local clinics frequently report operating without reliable electricity or running water, further undermining healthcare delivery.
These conditions have fueled a surge in emigration, with U.S. Customs and Border Protection recording over 425,000 encounters with Cuban nationals at U.S. Borders between October 2022 and September 2023 — the highest annual figure in decades. Many migrants cite economic desperation and lack of opportunity as primary motivations for leaving.
Despite these challenges, the Cuban government maintains that external pressures, particularly the U.S. Embargo, are the root cause of its hardships. In a May 2024 statement, Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodríguez Parrilla rejected accusations of mismanagement, asserting that “the blockade remains the main obstacle to Cuba’s development” and called for its immediate termination.
Yet, independent analysts argue that while sanctions exacerbate economic strain, structural inefficiencies in Cuba’s centrally planned economy — including low agricultural productivity, limited foreign investment and currency duality — have significantly undermined resilience. A 2023 study by the Peterson Institute for International Economics found that even in the absence of sanctions, Cuba’s economy would struggle to achieve sustained growth without comprehensive reforms.
The Barcelona summit did not produce a formal resolution on Cuba, but leaders agreed to continue monitoring the situation through diplomatic channels and multilateral forums such as the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC) and the United Nations. Sánchez confirmed that Spain would explore avenues for humanitarian assistance through EU mechanisms, provided assurances are given regarding impartial distribution.
Sheinbaum announced that Mexico would increase consular support for Cuban nationals seeking legal migration pathways, while Lula pledged to advocate for Cuba’s inclusion in regional debt relief initiatives under discussion at the upcoming BRICS+ outreach summit in Johannesburg in July 2024.
The next major opportunity for multilateral engagement on Cuba’s situation is expected at the CELAC summit scheduled for September 2024 in Honduras, where regional leaders are anticipated to revisit debates on governance, development models and external interference in the Caribbean.
For ongoing updates, readers can refer to the United Nations’ Cuba country page, the World Food Programme’s operational reports, and the official websites of the Spanish, Mexican and Brazilian foreign ministries, which regularly publish statements and policy positions on Latin American affairs.
As the international community weighs how best to respond to Cuba’s protracted crisis, the emphasis on respectful dialogue signals a growing consensus: lasting change must emerge from inclusive, sovereign-led processes rather than external pressure alone.
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