
Canada, Mexico step in with aid as Cuba faces worsening energy crisis
Canada and Mexico have announced new humanitarian assistance for Cuba as the island faces a worsening fuel and food crisis following reduced oil shipments and tighter pressure from the United States to curb trade and energy supplies in order to push Havana toward political and economic reforms.
Canada said on Wednesday it would provide 8 million Canadian dollars (USD 6.7 million) in food aid to support vulnerable communities in Cuba. Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand said the decision was driven solely by humanitarian concerns and was not discussed with US officials, including Secretary of State Marco Rubio.
“This is Canadian foreign policy. We are focused on the humanitarian situation,” Anand said, adding that the funding would be channelled through United Nations agencies rather than the Cuban government.
Global Affairs Canada has warned travellers for more than a year about widespread shortages of food, medicine and fuel across most of the island. The agency also noted that Canada remains Cuba’s second-largest source of foreign investment , particularly in the tourism and mining sectors. Canadian tourism plays a crucial role in supporting Cuba’s economy, although several airlines, including Air Canada, have cancelled flights due to aviation fuel shortages.
Mexico has also stepped up its support. The Mexican Foreign Ministry said two navy vessels carrying 1,193 tonnes of humanitarian supplies departed from the port of Veracruz this week and are expected to reach Cuba on Saturday. The ship Papaloapan is transporting beans and powdered milk , while the Huasteco is carrying additional food items donated partly by social organisations with backing from the Mexico City government.
This follows an earlier Mexican shipment in February of more than 814 tonnes of food and hygiene products , sent while talks continued over the possible resumption of oil deliveries.
Cuba’s energy crisis has intensified since oil shipments from Venezuela were halted earlier this year after US actions against the South American nation. Mexico later suspended its own oil exports to Cuba under similar pressure, shortly before US President Donald Trump announced tougher sanctions on Havana.
Cuba generates just 40 per cent of the fuel it consumes, making the country extremely vulnerable to interruptions in foreign supply. While allies including Russia and China have condemned the US sanctions, their support has so far been limited mainly to diplomatic statements rather than material assistance.
