The Catholic Church organization Caritas has commenced distribution of humanitarian assistance from the United States in the municipalities of Bejucal and Alquízar, located near the Cuban capital. The shipment arrived earlier this week and distribution operations began on Wednesday, according to a statement from the organization.
The initiative is taking place amid significant political complexity, as it occurs against a backdrop of long-standing distrust between the two nations. The timing coincides with an energy embargo that the U.S. imposed in January. The assistance effort comprises the opening phase of a $60 million program, with an additional $100 million in aid planned for distribution in the coming months, according to the U.S. State Department.
Each box contains food items designed to sustain a family for approximately 10 days, including rice, beans, pasta, canned fish, oil, and sugar, along with hygiene and household items such as soap, detergent, water purification tablets, a solar lamp, and sanitary products. Caritas indicated the aid targets the most vulnerable Cuban families, with distribution occurring through unspecified parishes and religious facilities in the two municipalities.
The U.S. State Department official Jeremy Lewin noted that the arrangement builds on a prior collaboration between the organizations, which delivered $9 million in direct assistance following a hurricane earlier. The Cuban Ministry of Foreign Trade confirmed that government authorities were present during the aircraft’s arrival alongside Caritas representatives, though their specific roles were not detailed. The U.S. has expressed concerns regarding the distribution process, alleging potential government manipulation, though specific evidence was not provided in the announcement.
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