Mexican President visits Cuba ending 5-day tour

On Monday, Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador concluded his first five-day tour to Central America and the Caribbean by visiting Cuba, where he stressed the importance of establishing EU-like close regional integration.

On his Telegram channel, Lopez Obrador said, "We are finishing our trip across Central America and the Caribbean in Cuba. We confirm our commitment to continue searching for alternatives to lift the trade, economic and financial embargo imposed on the island by the United States. It is time for brotherhood and the beginning of a new stage among all the countries of Americas. We are standing for dialogue, respect for sovereignty and strengthening of the region."

Lopez Obrador articulated his vision of the future for the American continent, a so-called "new coexistence" scheme, at a joint news conference with Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel, arguing that the existing two-century premise "for or against the US" is out of date.

Lopez Obrador added that he understands the issue is complex, but that the proposal is not to establish a similar model like the EU but instead to link history, reality, and identity. "In this sense, it is not excluded that the Organization of American States would be replaced by a truly autonomous body, … by a mediator [that will act] at the request and consent of the parties to the conflict in matters of human rights and democracy," he said.

During the visit, Mexico and Cuba inked an agreement on health ministry collaboration, but neither party disclosed the contents of the contract. While in Cuba, Lopez Obrador received the Order of Jose Marti, one of the highest official awards in the country.

From May 5 to 9, the Mexican President traveled to Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, Belize, and Cuba to sign bilateral cooperation agreements, discuss regional migration issues, and launch an integration project. Apart from the US, he did not visit any other nations during his three-year presidency.