Canada Joins Mexico in Humanitarian Aid Effort for Cuba Amid U.S. Oil Embargo-Driven Crisis

Canada announced that it is preparing a humanitarian aid package for Cuba as the island faces severe fuel shortages, blackouts, and mounting strain on its healthcare system following U.S. measures targeting countries that supply oil to Havana.

"We are preparing a plan to assist," said Canada's Foreign Minister Anita Anand, adding that details are forthcoming. "We are not prepared at this point to provide any details of the announcement."

Canada's move, reported by The Associated Press, follows Mexico's recent shipments of aid and comes amid a rapidly evolving policy landscape. Last week, two Mexican Navy ships delivered more than 800 tons of food and supplies to Havana, with Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum confirming that additional humanitarian assistance, including food and other requested items, would be sent, though not fuel.

"We are not in agreement" with U.S. tariffs on countries selling oil to Cuba, she said at the time, while reiterating that Mexico would continue to support the Cuban people.

The crisis intensified in January after President Donald Trump signed an executive order imposing tariffs on countries that sell or provide oil to Cuba. The move followed a U.S. intervention in Venezuela, which halted Venezuelan oil shipments to the island. Mexico also suspended oil exports under U.S. pressure.

On Friday, however, Trump was forced to order the termination of the oil-related tariffs under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act after The Supreme Court ruled that the president exceeded his authority in imposing the tariffs under that statute. The underlying national emergency declaration against Cuba remains in effect.

Cuba's Health Minister José Ángel Portal Miranda warned during the weekend that the oil blockade has pushed hospitals toward collapse. "You cannot damage a state's economy without affecting its inhabitants," he said, adding that "this situation could put lives at risk." He said 5 million people with chronic illnesses could see treatments disrupted, including 16,000 cancer patients requiring radiotherapy.

Canada is Cuba's second-largest source of direct investment, particularly in mining and tourism, according to Global Affairs Canada.