Sanctions as a Tool of Coercion: The Cuban Case Study
THE ACTORS & THEIR INCENTIVES: Claudia Sheinbaum (Mexico's President): Navigates a complex geopolitical landscape. Her pledge for food support to Cuba, while ostensibly humanitarian, also signals Mexico's increasing willingness to assert its independence from strict US foreign policy dictates. This move could be interpreted as bolstering regional alliances, particularly among nations resistant to
US unilateralism, and potentially strengthening her standing domestically by projecting an image of humanitarian leadership. Donald Trump (Former US President & current candidate): His threat of tariffs reflects a consistent playbook of economic pressure, a tactic popular with segments of his base who advocate for a hardline stance against socialist governments. The incentive is primarily
political, aiming to demonstrate strength and punish perceived adversaries without direct military engagement. The Cuban Government: Under immense pressure, its incentive is survival and the mitigation of economic hardship for its populace. Seeking external aid, whether through food or fuel, is a direct response to the impact of the US embargo. THE FUNDING & THE NETWORK: The financial impact here
is less about direct funding and more about economic strangulation. The US embargo against Cuba, codified in various acts including the Helms-Burton Act of 1996, restricts trade and financial transactions. Mexico's food aid represents a bilateral agreement, likely involving direct commodity transfers or favorable trade terms, effectively circumventing the US blockade's intent on essential goods.