"

STORY: Mexico's President Claudia Sheinbaum on Friday (March 13) hailed the start of talks between Cuba and the United States as "indispensable," and said her country had played a role in promoting the dialogue.

Cuba is facing an oil blockade imposed by U.S. President Donald Trump that is pushing the Communist-run nation deeper into economic crisis, after decades of economic embargo from the U.S. that has long been opposed by most regional neighbours.

DESCRIPCIÓN DE IMÁGENES

Mexico's Sheinbaum hails start of 'indispensable' US-Cuba talks

VIDEO SHOWS: SOUNDBITES FROM MEXICAN PRESIDENT CLAUDIA SHEINBAUM

RESENDING WITH COMPLETE SCRIPT

SHOWS: MANZANILLO, COLIMA, MEXICO (MARCH 13, 2026) (MEXICO GOVERNMENT TV – Access all)

1. OFFICIALS ARRIVING AT PRESS CONFERENCE

2. REPORTERS AT PRESS CONFERENCE

3. REPORTER ASKING QUESTION

4. (SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) MEXICAN PRESIDENT, CLAUDIA SHEINBAUM, SAYING (SOUNDBITE RUNS OVER SEVERAL SHOTS OF SHEINBAUM):

"How good (ed's note: referring to the U.S.-Cuba talks). Mexico will always promote peace, diplomatic dialogue and in particular, in front of the injustice committed for many years against the Cuban people. The blockade has caused different problems so it's indispensable that there's dialogue. Mexico must continue supporting all the ways (of possible solutions) for the Cuban people."

5. REPORTER ASKING QUESTION

6. (SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) MEXICAN PRESIDENT, CLAUDIA SHEINBAUM, SAYING (SOUNDBITE RUNS OVER SEVERAL SHOTS OF SHEINBAUM):

“Let’s say (Mexico has participated) in promoting dialogue with both the U.S. authorities and the Cuban authorities.”

7. PRESS CONFERENCE IN PROGRESS