In a significant display of regional solidarity, the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela has dispatched 46 tonnes of humanitarian aid to Cuba and Jamaica, both nations grappling with the devastating aftermath of Hurricane Melissa. The operation, orchestrated by Venezuela’s Minister of People’s Power for Foreign Affairs, Yván Gil, underscores the country’s commitment to supporting its Caribbean neighbors during times of crisis. The aid packages, airlifted to the affected regions, include critical supplies such as food, medicines, medical equipment, and mattresses, aimed at addressing the most pressing needs of the impacted communities. Cuba received 26 tonnes of aid, while Jamaica was allocated 20 tonnes, with the shipments supervised by Minister Gil and Vice Minister Raúl Li Causi, respectively. Minister Gil emphasized the cooperative spirit of Venezuela’s efforts, contrasting it with the actions of other regional actors. “While some nations resort to threats and destabilization, Venezuela and the Bolivarian Alliance for the Peoples of Our America (ALBA) stand united in promoting peace, solidarity, and cooperation,” he stated. This initiative holds symbolic significance, coinciding with the 25th anniversary of the Bolívar–Martí Comprehensive Cooperation Agreement, a historic pact signed in 2000 by Commanders Hugo Chávez and Fidel Castro, which embodies the enduring bond between Venezuela and Cuba. Cuban Ambassador to Venezuela, Jorge Luis Mayo Fernández, lauded the gesture, noting, “Venezuela’s solidarity is unwavering. While others threaten, Venezuela sends planes filled not with weapons, but with love, food, and medicines.” Venezuelan authorities also announced plans for a subsequent maritime shipment, which will deliver over 3,000 tonnes of additional aid to Cuba in the coming days. Through these efforts, Venezuela reaffirms its Bolivarian Diplomacy of Peace, rooted in integration, cooperation, and solidarity, as Caribbean nations confront the escalating challenges of climate change.
