Salazar Acknowledges Loan Denial that Would Help Cuban Regime

Florida Rep. Maria Elvira Salazar (R) has sent a letter to U.S. Export-Import Bank Chairwoman Reta Jo Lewis, congratulating Lewis for having denied an $800 million loan to Petróleos Mexicanos (PEMEX). The loan was denied over the Mexican government’s policy of supplying free fuel to the Cuban regime.

Rep. Salazar, a vocal critic of Mexico and Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador (AMLO), wrote in the letter that “the President of Mexico is using Pemex as a charity for dictators.” Because Mexico is sending free oil to Cuba, lawmakers have slammed Mexico for bankrolling the Cuban regime’s oppression of its people.

“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,” Salazar wrote, adding, “what a relief to see at least one agency is still interested in enforcing American law against the Castro/Diaz-Canel Regime.”

Salazar has criticized the long history of Mexico supporting the Cuban government, which dates back to 2018 when AMLO took office.

In a press release from Salazar’s office, Salazar cites estimates that show “the Mexican government will send over $200 million in free fuel to Havana.”

“As Pemex runs the risk of bankruptcy, the AMLO government prioritizes bailouts for communist dictatorships over solvency,” the press release reads, noting that “this threatens to turn PEMEX into the next PDVSA, the bankrupt state-run oil company owned by the Maduro regime in Venezuela.”

Salazar calls on the Biden administration to remain vigilant after the $800 million in loans was canceled, warning that the Mexican government has expressed its intention to sell fuel to Cuba as opposed to donating it.

“If Pemex begins selling oil to Cuba for fuel, they would be in violation of the LIBERTAD Act which is United States law and must be enforced,” reminds Salazar in the letter.