Mexico withdraws ambassador to Cuba

From combined dispatches

MEXICO CITY — Mexico’s ambassador to Cuba returned home yesterday and Peru was to follow as both countries protested the tactics of the communist island’s veteran leader Fidel Castro.

The pullouts left the island even more isolated as it contends with pressure from the United States on countries in the region to limit trade and diplomatic ties with Havana.

Within hours of each other, Mexico and Peru attacked Cuban interference in their domestic affairs. Mexico also ordered Cuba’s envoy to Mexico City, Jorge Bolanos, to leave the country.

However, Mexico said yesterday it was still open to dialogue with Cuba despite withdrawing its ambassador from Havana and accusing the communist government of interfering in Mexican affairs.

“There is no rupture. All the channels are open; all the relationship is normal. The only exception is that we have downgraded the post of ambassador,” Foreign Minister Luis Ernesto Derbez told Monitor radio station.

Mexico’s ambassador arrived home yesterday. “Roberta Lajous is already in Mexico,” Mr. Derbez told the Televisa channel, while emphasizing that Mexico has not completely broken off relations with Cuba.

Mr. Derbez delayed a planned trip to Washington yesterday to manage the controversy over the withdrawal.

The foreign minister had planned to meet with Secretary of State Colin L. Powell, but his deputy, Geronimo Gutierrez, told reporters that the visit “has been postponed.”

Mr. Powell praised the Latin American countries for their action. “Mexico and Peru have responded, in my judgment, properly,” Mr. Powell said.

“Actions by the Cuban government represent direct intervention in matters that concern only Mexicans,” the Mexican government said Sunday.

Tensions have been on the rise since Wednesday, when Cuba, in a surprise move, announced the deportation of a Mexican businessman of Argentine origin, Carlos Ahumada.

Cuba justified the deportation by saying that Mr. Ahumada’s activities in Mexico were political in nature.

But Mexican diplomats interpreted the move as Havana’s attempt to influence Mexico’s internal politics and made their displeasure known to the Cuban government.

The Mexican government also took offense over a visit to Mexico last month by three high-level Cuban officials who were accused of taking part in “unacceptable” activities.

“They were involved in activities on Mexican national territory that go beyond their officially stated functions,” Interior Minister Santiago Creel said.

He pointed out that actions undertaken by the visitors “run counter to the friendly relations that exist between our two peoples and fail to show respect customary of governments involved in international relations.”