Mexico says it will waive most of $487 million debt owed by Cuba

[Judi Lynn]

Mexico says it will waive most of $487 million debt owed by Cuba
Reuters
November 2, 2013, 1:02 am

MEXICO CITY (Reuters) - The Mexican government is ready to waive 70 percent of a debt worth nearly $500 million (313.9 million pounds) Cuba owes it, Finance Minister Luis Videgaray said on Friday, as Mexico seeks to improve ties with the communist island.

Speaking on Mexican radio, Videgaray said a loan issued by Mexico's foreign trade development bank Bancomext to Cuba more than 15 years ago had become a debt worth $487 million.

"Seventy percent of the debt is to be waived," Videgaray said, adding that a formal announcement would be made later. The rest of the debt will be paid in 10 years, he added.

Relations between Cuba and Mexico were traditionally strong, but they soured during the rule of the conservative National Action Party between 2000 and 2012.

Ties reached a nadir in 2002 when Cuba's Fidel Castro revealed how then-Mexican President Vicente Fox had told him to leave an international summit early after eating his lunch so he would avoid an overlap with then-U.S. President George W. Bush.

More:
http://au.news.yahoo.com/thewest/a/-/world/19645088/

[Socialistlemur]

1. Cuba isn't a "communist island"

Cuba has an ex communist dictatorship. It is now a fascist dictatorship implementing capitalism.

[Judi Lynn]

2. Apparently there are many in Mexico who don't share the venomous attitude

toward Cuba post-revolution which has been forced down the throats of anyone who listens to right-wingers here.

Wingers just don't feel it's o.k. if people take the time to make up their own minds. It just won't work unless you bend to them!

Tell it to the Mexican government.

It will be good to see the two countries picking up where things left off during Vicente Fox.