International Convoy Delivers Humanitarian Aid To Cuba Amid Worsening Energy Crisis

A small ship carrying humanitarian aid reached Havana on Tuesday as Cuba continues to face a serious fuel and economic crisis.

The vessel brought essential supplies from Mexico at a time when the country is dealing with blackouts, transport issues, and shortages of basic goods.

The ship left the port of Progreso in Mexico last week and arrived in Havana Harbor after being delayed by bad weather in the Caribbean.

It carried about 14 tons of cargo, including food, medicine, solar panels and bicycles. Around 30 people were on board. The vessel is part of a group of three ships, and the other two are expected to arrive soon.

This shipment adds to another 6 tons of aid that activists had already flown into Cuba over the past week. Some of those supplies were delivered to hospitals and shown on state television.

The convoy is part of an international campaign called the Nuestra America Convoy, which includes nearly 300 organizations from more than 30 countries. Over 650 people from 33 countries took part in the effort.

Among those present in Cuba were political figures and activists, including Jeremy Corbyn, Clara López, Pablo Iglesias, and U.S. labor leader Chris Smalls, as well as members of the Irish music group Kneecap.

Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel met members of the group at the presidential palace last week. Activists said more support is expected in the coming weeks, but also admitted that the current aid is small compared to the country’s needs.

The ship was renamed “Granma 2” by its crew, in reference to the yacht used by Fidel Castro in 1956. The name was meant to show solidarity with Cuba during the current situation.

Cuba has been facing a deep economic crisis for several years, which worsened after the COVID-19 pandemic. The situation has become more difficult in recent months due to fuel shortages.

The country has reportedly gone nearly three months without receiving supplies of diesel, gasoline, fuel oil, jet fuel, and liquefied petroleum gas. Officials say Cuba produces only about 40% of the fuel it needs.

The shortage has affected many areas, including electricity generation, transport services, and daily life. There have been repeated blackouts across the island, including two that affected the entire country.

Flights have been cancelled, and working hours have been reduced in some sectors.

The administration of Donald Trump tightened restrictions on fuel shipments to Cuba and warned of penalties for countries that supply oil to the island. This has made it harder for shipping companies and tanker operators to deliver fuel.

In one recent case, a Hong Kong-flagged vessel that was believed to be carrying about 200,000 barrels of diesel to Cuba reportedly changed course and docked in Venezuela instead, according to vessel tracking data.

At the same time, some countries have reduced diplomatic ties with Cuba. Costa Rica recently joined Ecuador in cutting relations.

However, other countries and organizations have stepped in with support. Mexico, China, Brazil, Italy and groups from the United States have sent aid.

A Caribbean trade bloc has also said it will send supplies such as powdered milk, medical goods and water tanks through Mexico, which has agreed to transport them by ship.

Most of the aid arriving in Cuba is distributed by the state through its public system, though some shipments are sent directly to hospitals or specific services if requested by donors.

References: AP News, Reuters