The United States government has moved to widen its humanitarian assistance program to Cuba by allocating an additional $6 million, following an initial allocation of $3 million. This extension of support comes amid a worsening humanitarian situation on the island, which suffered significant damage due to Hurricane Melissa, a highly powerful Atlantic storm that struck in October.
The expanded aid package will utilize the same distribution channels as the prior assistance, specifically relying on pre-packaged commodities shipped from Miami and distributed through local Catholic Church parish representatives and Caritas, the international Catholic humanitarian organization. This distribution strategy is deliberately designed to circumvent any potential intervention by Cuban government officials, ensuring that aid reaches the intended recipients directly within the communities.
"The regime must not make any effort to interfere with the provision of this lifesaving support," stated a representative from the US State Department. The department additionally indicated it will monitor the flow of aid closely to detect and prevent any actions aimed at diverting the assistance away from those in need.
This development follows US President Donald Trump's January declaration of a national emergency relating to the humanitarian condition in Cuba. The declaration entailed threats to impose tariffs on nations supplying oil to Cuba, reflecting the broader geopolitical tensions in the region.
A significant factor aggravating Cuba's situation is the January US-led invasion of Venezuela and subsequent capture of President Nicolás Maduro. This event has effectively cut off Cuban access to Venezuelan oil, a critical resource for the island. President Trump highlighted this constraint in remarks to NBC Nightly News, noting, "Cuba is in big trouble. They got their oil from Venezuela. They turned the oil into money, et cetera, et cetera. And there’s none of that happening anymore."
Concurrently, Trump issued a call for Cuba to "make a deal before it is too late," indicating an openness to negotiation under specific conditions. In contrast, Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel condemned the US approach as an attempt to "suffocate the island's struggling economy," reflecting ongoing hostility in US-Cuban relations.
Public sentiment indicators, such as the prediction market Polymarket, currently assign a 57% probability to Díaz-Canel's departure from office by the end of the year, highlighting political uncertainty on the island.
The US administration has further expressed readiness to increase aid provisions, contingent on the Cuban government's willingness to permit distribution without restrictions or interference.
In response to the evolving scenario, Cuban President Díaz-Canel articulated the island's stance on diplomatic engagement in a statement released by the Office of the Cuban President. He affirmed Cuba's willingness to enter into dialogue with the United States on any subject requiring discussion, provided such dialogue occurs "without pressure." He emphasized that dialogue must be based on "equality," with respect for Cuba's sovereignty, independence, and right to self-determination. Díaz-Canel firmly stated that matters regarded as internal responsibilities should not be treated as interference.
The ongoing aid expansion and the associated political context underscore the delicate balance between addressing urgent humanitarian needs and the complex diplomatic relations affecting Cuba.