The State Department announced that the Trump administration is expanding humanitarian aid to Cuba by $6 million, building on an initial $3 million program delivered through the Catholic Church and Caritas.
A new round of aid is being sent to the Caribbean island, famous for its vibrant culture, in response to a humanitarian crisis worsened by Hurricane Melissa, one of the strongest Atlantic storms on record, which hit Cuba in October.
Regime Warned Against Aid Interference
According to the State Department on Thursday, the additional assistance will use the same delivery mechanism, with pre-packaged commodities transported from Miami and distributed by local parish representatives. The department said this method prevents the Cuban government from intercepting or diverting supplies intended for citizens.
“The regime must not make any effort to interfere with the provision of this lifesaving support,” the State Department warned, adding that authorities will track any diversion attempts.
The announcement follows President Donald Trump‘s January national emergency declaration over Cuba’s humanitarian crisis, which included threatened tariffs on oil-supplying nations.
Venezuela Invasion Cuts Off Cuban Oil Lifeline
The January U.S. invasion of Venezuela and capture of President Nicolás Maduro has halted Cuban oil shipments. “Cuba is in big trouble,” President Trump told NBC Nightly News. “They got their oil from Venezuela. They turned the oil into money, et cetera, et cetera. And there’s none of that happening anymore.”
In January, Trump urged Cuba to “make a deal before it is too late,” while Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel accused the administration of trying to suffocate the island’s struggling economy.
Prediction market Polymarket currently shows a 57% chance of Díaz-Canel leaving office by year-end.
The administration has also indicated it is prepared to provide larger aid packages if Cuba’s government allows it.
According to a speech published by the Office of the Cuban President on Thursday, Díaz-Canel said, “Cuba is willing to engage in dialogue with the United States, dialogue on any issue that needs to be discussed or debated. Under what conditions? Without pressure. Dialogue cannot take place under pressure. Conditions must always be based on equality, on respect for our sovereignty, our independence, our self-determination, without addressing issues that are our responsibility and that we could understand as interference in our affairs.”
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Disclaimer: This content was partially produced with the help of AI tools and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors.
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