TORONTO. — Canada announced Wednesday that it will send 8 million Canadian dollars (6.7 million U.S. dollars) in food aid to Cuba, as the island faces an increasingly serious fuel crisis as oil shipments have slowed following threats of tariffs from the United States.
The Canadian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Anita Anandnoted that he did not discuss Canada’s aid intentions with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio or other US officials.
“This is Canadian foreign policy. We focus on the humanitarian situation,” he said.
The funds will be channeled through United Nations agencies, rather than through the Cuban government.
Global Affairs Canada, a government office, has warned travelers for more than a year about “shortages of essential items, including food, medicine and fuel,” in most of Cuba. Air Canada and others airlines he canceled flights to the Caribbean island due to the shortage of aviation fuel in the country.
Canadian tourism is vital for the Cuban economy. Global Affairs Canada notes that Canada is the second largest source of direct investment on the islandparticularly in the mining and tourism sectors.
Crisis in Cuba
The island faces an increasingly desperate energy crisis, which has worsened in recent weeks since oil shipments from Venezuela, its main supplier, were halted when the United States attacked the South American country in early January and arrested its then-president. Mexico, another major supplier, also later suspended oil shipments under pressure from the United States.
Crude shipments were halted in mid-January, just before U.S. President Donald Trump announced a major tightening of the economic embargo on Havana.
The economic crisis affecting Cuba Since 2020 it has been aggravated by the tightening of United States sanctions, aimed at forcing a change in the island’s political model.
These pressures led to critical shortages and severe blackouts that peaked in early 2026.
Because Cuba produces only 40% of the fuel it needs, it remains very vulnerable to external blockades. Although strong allies such as Russia and China have condemned the US measures, their support so far has been largely symbolic.
Mexico sends second package of humanitarian aid to Cuba
Two ships of the Mexican Navy that They transport 1,193 tons of supplies set sail on Tuesday from the port of Veracruz, in the Gulf of Mexico, reported the Mexican Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The shipment is expected to arrive on Saturday.
The Papaloapan transports 1,078 tons of beans and milk powderwhile the Huasteco carries 92 tons of beans and 23 tons of other foods. According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the last 23 tons of humanitarian aid were provided by various social organizations with the support of the government of Mexico City.
Mexico sent more than 814 tons of food and hygiene products to the island in February, while diplomatic talks on resuming oil supplies continued.
READ: Claudia Sheinbaum announces new humanitarian aid package to Cuba
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