US Puts Tariffs on Countries Linked to Cuba / New SICT Investment

US Imposes New Tariffs on Countries Linked to Cuba. President Claudia Sheinbaum announced that Mexico will send an official statement to the US government concerning tariffs imposed on countries maintaining trade relations with Cuba, particularly regarding petroleum supply.

“Mexico unequivocally reaffirms the principle of sovereignty and the free self-determination of peoples, a fundamental pillar of our foreign policy and international law. The imposition of tariffs on countries supplying oil to Cuba could trigger a widespread humanitarian crisis, directly affecting hospitals, food supplies, and other essential services for the Cuban people. This situation must be prevented through respect for international law and dialogue between the parties,” Sheinbaum stated.

SICT Announces New Investment in Baja California. Jesús Esteva, Minister of Infrastructure, Communications, and Transportation, reported that infrastructure programs in Baja California total MX$21.419 billion (US$1.2 billion), including strategic projects ranging from bridge reconstruction to road modernization and the construction of an elevated viaduct in Tijuana.

“Infrastructure projects in Baja California include bridge reconstruction, a mixed-investment viaduct, a bypass, the mega bachetón, educational facilities, and additional works that the president will inaugurate shortly,” Esteva said.

Justice Plan for San Quintín’s Agricultural Workers. Ariadna Montiel, Minister of Well-Being, presented the Justice Plan for San Quintín, a comprehensive strategy aimed at addressing the long-standing needs of agricultural workers in Baja California’s berry-producing region, particularly those harvesting strawberries and blackberries.

“As you know, San Quintín is a major berry-producing region … workers have come here mainly from southern states, including indigenous communities from Oaxaca, Guerrero, and Veracruz … For many years, agricultural workers in San Quintín have faced inadequate labor conditions and circumstances that undermine their well-being,” Montiel said.

She noted that in 2024, the Mexican Senate approved a constitutional reform establishing agricultural workers’ rights to housing, education, and social security. This legal framework aligns with President Sheinbaum’s Commitment 63, which aims to ensure social security for farmworkers and fishermen.