The appeal from former Mexican president Andrés Manuel López Obrador to gather financial support for Cuba has started to see responses from the political figures within his own movement.
Several officials and legislators associated with the Morena party have publicly disclosed their contributions to the bank account shared by the former leader, aimed at funneling resources to the island amid its severe economic crisis.
This call to action was made on March 14 through social media. López Obrador urged the Mexican public to make financial contributions to an account held by the civil association Humanidad con América Latina at Banorte bank. The purpose, as he explained, was to purchase food, medicine, oil, and gasoline for the Cuban people.
Early Supporters of the Initiative
Among the first to respond was federal deputy Carlos Castillo Pérez, a Morena representative from Mexico City. He announced a donation of 61,871 pesos, which he explained was equivalent to one month of his legislative salary.
The legislator posted proof of the transfer along with a message encouraging other deputies and senators to follow suit. "I am responding to the call of our retired movement leader Andrés Manuel López Obrador. I decided to donate a month's salary. I invite my fellow local, federal deputies, and senators to do the same," he stated.
According to La Silla Rota, Javier Hidalgo Ponce, the director of the Mexico City Sports Institute, also contributed, confirming a deposit of 10,000 pesos into the same account. "Cuba's fate is not foreign to us. Our sisters and brothers are not alone," he wrote on social media.
Additional Contributions and Controversies
Another official, Julia Álvarez Icaza, the Secretary of the Environment for Mexico City, confirmed her involvement, although the amount in the deposit image she shared was obscured.
Senator Elizabeth "Lizzy" Guzmán Argueta also announced her participation in the collection initiated by López Obrador. She shared a screenshot of a bank transfer of 41,000 pesos, defending the initiative with a message. "Humanism is demonstrated with actions (...) I join the call with my contribution and invite everyone to give whatever amount they can, as all solidarity counts," she wrote.
Legislator Cuauhtémoc Estrada Sotelo also contributed the same amount as Guzmán Argueta.
While some in the ruling party celebrate the initiative, it has also sparked criticism.
Legal Concerns and Organizational Scrutiny
Criminal lawyer Elliot Velher cautioned that donations directed to Cuba could pose legal risks for individuals with financial ties to the United States, given that Washington designates the island as a state sponsor of terrorism. This activates sanctions under the Cuban Assets Control Regulations (CACR).
He explained that these restrictions might apply even to transactions made outside the United States if the funds ultimately benefit the Cuban regime or if the operations involve U.S. banks.
Simultaneously, the collection has drawn controversy over the organization handling the funds. Humanidad con América Latina recently received authorization as a donor from the Mexican Tax Administration Service (SAT), a process critics have called unusually swift.
Official records show the certificate was granted on March 9, just days before López Obrador's public appeal.
Moreover, the contact email registered for the organization is linked to Carlos Pellicer López, a relative of Tabasco poet Carlos Pellicer Cámara, a political figure close to López Obrador early in his career.
Despite the criticisms, the Cuban government was quick to respond.
Leader Miguel Díaz-Canel publicly thanked the former Mexican president for his initiative, calling him "brother" and emphasizing the historical solidarity between the two countries.
"On behalf of Cuba, I will never tire of thanking the generous solidarity and support from Mexico for the heroic resistance of the Cuban people," he wrote on social media.
The campaign remains open as López Obrador continues to stress that any contribution, no matter how small, can help alleviate the dire situation faced by millions of Cubans on the island.
Legal and Political Implications of Donations to Cuba
What legal risks are associated with donating to Cuba?
Donations to Cuba could pose legal risks for individuals with financial ties to the United States, as the island is designated by Washington as a state sponsor of terrorism, triggering sanctions under the Cuban Assets Control Regulations (CACR).
Who are some of the notable contributors to the Cuba donation initiative?
Notable contributors include federal deputy Carlos Castillo Pérez, Javier Hidalgo Ponce from the Mexico City Sports Institute, Julia Álvarez Icaza, and Senator Elizabeth Guzmán Argueta.
Why has the organization receiving the donations faced scrutiny?
The organization Humanidad con América Latina has faced scrutiny due to its recent and rapid authorization as a donor by the Mexican Tax Administration Service, which some critics view as unusually swift.