Mexico-Backed Humanitarian Aid Ship Arrives in Cuba as Díaz-Canel Praises 'Supportive Embrace'

A ship carrying 1,700 tons of food and basic supplies collected in Mexico and Belize arrived in Havana on Sunday, the latest humanitarian shipment sent to Cuba as the island faces worsening shortages linked to its economic and energy crises.

Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel said the aid was organized with support from the governments of Mexico and Belize, solidarity organizations and Cubans living abroad. "We thank you for the solidarity embrace in such difficult times," Díaz-Canel wrote on X.

Cuban officials said the vessel, the Asian Katra, docked in Havana carrying food and other essential goods intended to help alleviate shortages that have intensified amid prolonged blackouts, fuel scarcity and inflation, with foreign Minister Bruno Rodríguez Parrilla describing the shipment as "a gesture of brotherhood" toward Cubans "heroically resisting" what he called a U.S. "energy blockade" and the tightening of sanctions against the island, as ABC News reports.

The latest shipment follows another aid delivery from Mexico and Uruguay that arrived in Havana in May carrying grains, powdered milk, hygiene products and other supplies. Cuban officials said at the time that those shipments were prioritized for children, elderly people and vulnerable families.

Mexico has emerged as one of Cuba's most active regional partners this year, sending multiple humanitarian shipments since February after suspending oil exports to the island following new U.S. secondary sanctions targeting countries supplying crude to Cuba.

Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum said last month that her government would continue sending humanitarian assistance despite mounting pressure from Washington. "Mexico will always be fraternal and supportive of all nations in the world, and particularly with Cuba," Sheinbaum said during a news conference, while ruling out renewed oil shipments and saying Havana was continuing to receive crude from Russia.

Cuba's economic difficulties deepened earlier this year after disruptions to Venezuelan oil deliveries and additional U.S. sanctions targeting the island's energy, financial and mining sectors. The country has since experienced extended daily blackouts, fuel shortages and growing pressure on hospitals and public transportation systems.

Cuban state media said the latest shipment adds to aid operations carried out in recent months by countries including Brazil, Uruguay, China, Spain, Japan, Canada and Colombia, as well as agencies affiliated with the United Nations.