Congresswoman Maria Elvira Salazar | Maria Elvira Salazar Official Website
Congresswoman Maria Elvira Salazar | Maria Elvira Salazar Official Website
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Rep. María Elvira Salazar (R-FL) has expressed her appreciation to U.S. Export-Import Bank Chairwoman Reta Jo Lewis for rejecting an $800 million loan to Petróleos Mexicanos (PEMEX) due to Mexico's policy of providing free fuel to the Cuban regime.
Rep. Salazar highlighted the direct connection between Mexico's provision of free oil to Cuba and the Cuban regime's oppression of its people.
"The President of Mexico is using Pemex as a charity for dictators," stated Rep. Salazar. "This decision by the Export-Import Bank is an example to the rest of the United States government on how to stand for human rights in our hemisphere. What a relief to see at least one agency is still interested in enforcing American law against the Castro/Díaz-Canel Regime."
Mexican President Andrés Manuel López Obrador (AMLO) has displayed a supportive stance towards the Cuban regime since taking office in 2018. In addition to warmly receiving Miguel Díaz-Canel in 2021 and hosting Cuban doctors who were trafficked, AMLO's administration has committed to providing free fuel to sustain the regime.
Estimates indicate that the Mexican government will supply over $200 million worth of free fuel to Havana this year. While Pemex faces the risk of bankruptcy, the AMLO government prioritizes supporting communist dictatorships over ensuring solvency. This poses a threat of turning PEMEX into a state-run oil company similar to PDVSA, which is currently bankrupt under the Maduro regime in Venezuela.
In an effort to counter Mexico's pro-Cuba economic initiatives, the Export-Import Bank has decided to cancel $800 million in loans to Pemex. While this move is commendable, Rep. Salazar urges the Biden Administration to remain watchful. The Mexican government has indicated that it may consider selling fuel to the Cuban regime instead of providing it as a donation. Any contributions made by the U.S. government to entities involved in business with the Cuban regime would violate the Helms-Burton LIBERTAD Act.
To read the full text of the letter, click HERE.
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To find out more, go to this link: https://salazar.house.gov/media/press-releases/salazar-praises-action-stop-mexico-supplying-free-fuel-cuban-regime
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