A previously undisclosed exchange between former Mexican President Vicente Fox and Cuban leader Fidel Castro, stemming from a United Nations development conference in 2002, has resurfaced amid renewed discussion of Fox’s presidential legacy.The conversation, centered around castro’s potential attendance at the Monterrey conference and famously culminating in the phrase “comes y te vas” (“eat and leave”), reveals a tense but ultimately diplomatic attempt to include the Cuban leader in a major international forum despite ongoing U.S. sanctions against the island nation[[1]]. The details of this interaction recently came to light following an interview with Fox, offering a rare look at early 2000s geopolitics.
Former Mexican President Vicente Fox revealed he is living with limited financial resources, recalling a memorable and at times tense exchange with Cuban leader Fidel Castro that stemmed from a United Nations conference two decades ago. The incident, involving the phrase “comes y te vas” (eat and leave), resurfaced recently as Fox discussed his presidency and interactions with world leaders.
The exchange occurred in March 2002, during the International Conference on Financing for Development in Monterrey, Mexico. The United Nations organized the event to address critical issues surrounding global finance and development, attracting over 50 heads of state and 200 ministers, according to the UN.
Fox, who served as Mexico’s president from 2000 to 2006, recently recounted the story during an interview on the podcast of influencer Melo Montoya. He described inviting Castro to the conference despite existing tensions between Cuba and the United States, which had imposed a commercial blockade on the island nation.
According to Fox, he and then-Foreign Secretary Jorge Castañeda were speaking with Castro when he extended the invitation. “I caught Fidel with his hand on the door,” Fox said. “What happened? We were talking, Jorge Castañeda, myself, and Fidel Castro.”
Fox explained he proposed that Castro address the conference, offering him the opportunity to speak in Monterrey’s Macroplaza. “I said to him, ‘What more do you want?’” he recalled. He offered Castro a prominent speaking slot and assured him he could say whatever he wished without censorship.
However, Castro was known for his unpredictable travel schedule, often deciding at the last minute whether or not to attend events. “He was afraid, just worried that they would catch him outside of his country and arrest him,” Fox said.
The Origin of ‘Comes y te vas’
Fox continued, explaining that he pressed Castro for a commitment to attend the Monterrey conference. He then recounted his direct appeal to the Cuban leader: “Fidel, enough already. Stop keeping me in suspense. Just tell me if you’re coming or not. Look what I’m offering you: You wanted to speak publicly, I offer you the Macroplaza of Monterrey, Nuevo León, master. At the foot of Cerro de la Silla. What more do you want?”
He told Castro that if he attended, he would be seated to Fox’s right at a formal meal, with then-U.S. President George Bush on his left. “When we receive you that day, there will be an official meal. You, being on the left, will sit to my right. The other one, the one you call ‘the Devil,’ Bush 43, being on the right, we will seat him to the left,” Fox said.
Fox also assured Castro he could speak freely. “And who do you think will be the main speaker? Who do you think will be the only speaker? I’ll just introduce you and you’ll be the one to talk. And say whatever you want, there’s no censorship here, there’s nothing.”
The former president said Castro hesitated, citing concerns about the condition of his official aircraft. Fox insisted he visit Mexico and attend the meal. “It doesn’t matter what time you arrive, it doesn’t matter what time you leave. Just come, make your presence known, come to the meal, eat and leave,” he told Castro.
Fox stated he was unaware that Castro was recording the conversation, which was later made public. “Fidel released the call on the radio and the media, saying that President Fox had kicked him out of Mexico. I think he couldn’t come to Mexico, eat and leave,” Fox noted.
The Recorded Call
While Fox claims the recording surfaced the day after the conversation, reports indicate it was released in April. According to a transcript published by BBC, Fox asked Castro to inform him of his arrival and departure from Mexico, suggesting he arrive the day before and notify Fox “before going to bed.”
The audio also reveals Fox requesting Castro participate in the meal and then return to Cuba “to avoid complications,” to which Castro agreed.
Following the release of the audio, a public exchange of statements occurred between the former Mexican president, Foreign Secretary Castañeda, and the former Cuban president. The incident offers a glimpse into the complex diplomatic relationships of the early 2000s and the often-unpredictable nature of international politics.
According to the UN, the Monterrey conference was a significant event, bringing together leaders from around the globe to address critical development challenges.
