MIAMI, March 4 (UPI) -- A coalition of anti-Castro organizations in Miami called Monday for a 90-day boycott of Mexican goods and travel to the country for allegedly requesting the eviction of 21 young Cuban men who had occupied the Mexican embassy last week.
The Cuban government said it rousted the young men at the request of the Mexico.
The call for a boycott was made by Silvia Iriondo of the Mothers Against Repression.
"The right to a political asylum, the right to due process have been violated by the Mexican government. We must denounce that violation," she said.
"What the Cuban exile community can do is declare a boycott -- to abstain from purchasing Mexican products and abstain from visiting Mexico for 90 days," Iriondo said. "At the same time we should explain our position to our Mexican brothers."
One of the only dissenters in the packed roomful of members of several Cuban-American organizations was Jose Basulto, founder of Brothers to the Rescue, who flew light planes in the 1990s looking for refugees trying to make it across the Florida Straits in rafts or boats.
"At this time, I ask you to reconsider this position," Basulto said. "I believe we are being manipulated by the government of Cuba into taking action against Mexico. Mexico is not our enemy."
The 21 young men stormed into the embassy compound by smashing a stolen bus through the gates Wednesday night and occupied the roof of the embassy building. Cuban President Fidel Castro made a 20-minute appearance at the scene that night as his supporters chanted "Fidel."
At the same time, the men on the roof chanted "Down with Fidel."
Before dawn Friday morning, a detachment of Cuban law enforcement officers stormed the embassy and took the men away to an undisclosed location.
The incident occurred after a Mexican official had said the embassy and Mexico itself were open to visits from the Cuban people.
Radio Marti, the U.S.-sponsored outlet that broadcasts to Cuba used the quote several times Wednesday, and the 21 men apparently interpreted it as an invitation.
