HAVANA, June 9 – A major new solidarity shipment carrying 1,700 tons of food and essential basic necessities has reached the Port of Havana, arriving from Mexico in a joint aid effort between Mexico and Belize that offers a critical lifeline to Cuba amid escalating U.S. pressure. The cargo vessel, which departed from a Mexican port, was formally welcomed by senior Cuban government officials Sunday, who extended explicit gratitude to the presidents of both Mexico and Belize for their continued support.
Speaking to reporters following the ship’s arrival, Betsy Díaz Velázquez, Cuba’s Minister of Domestic Trade, highlighted the profound meaning of the donation at a moment of unprecedented uncertainty for the Cuban people. With the United States having ramped up restrictive measures and implemented a second new executive order targeting Cuba, Velázquez noted that the ongoing display of solidarity from other nations sends a powerful message that Cuba does not stand alone in facing external pressure.
Velázquez also addressed the logistical challenges the country has navigated to distribute incoming aid, noting that the U.S.-imposed energy blockade has slowed many operational processes. To counter these barriers, Cuban authorities have pursued innovative alternative strategies to speed up distribution, including integrating non-state economic actors into the logistics chain. This adaptation is designed to ensure the donated supplies reach Cuban communities and households as quickly as possible to meet critical needs.
Beyond addressing immediate needs on the ground, the joint aid shipment reinforces longstanding cooperative ties between Cuba, Mexico and Belize, deepening people-to-people and diplomatic bonds across the three nations. The arrival of the donation comes as the Cuban government continues to push back against U.S. sanctions, while building out collaborative partnerships with countries that maintain solidarity with its sovereignty.