The Antilles Episcopal Conference (AEC), the regional body of Catholic Bishops, has issued a formal declaration expressing grave apprehension over the escalating humanitarian emergency in Cuba. In a statement dated March 2, 2026, the religious leaders detailed a catastrophic collapse in essential services, driven by severe shortages of fuel and critical supplies. This crisis has precipitated extensive electrical blackouts and crippled vital infrastructure, including hospital operations and public water systems, pushing the island nation toward a severe food security threat.
The Conference’s communique articulated a powerful moral imperative, stating the Church cannot remain a silent witness as the dignity of the Cuban people is compromised by uncertain access to food, healthcare, and basic necessities. While acknowledging the nation’s need for positive transformation, the Bishops emphasized that such change must not be achieved through additional suffering for the populace.
Positioning the issue within a framework of regional solidarity, the AEC highlighted the Caribbean’s interconnected destiny and echoed recent appeals from regional leaders for a reevaluation of international policies that may unintentionally intensify the hardship. The statement called for humanitarian aid to reach the most vulnerable segments of society—families, the elderly, and children—unimpeded by political agendas or strategic delays, upholding principles of humanity, impartiality, and neutrality.
Advocating for diplomatic solutions over coercion, the Bishops urged for the cultivation of ‘healthy plurality and mutual respect’ both within Cuban society and in its international relations to ensure stability and constructive engagement. The Conference, led by President Archbishop Charles Jason Gordon, concluded with a call to the faithful across the Caribbean to participate in prayer for the Cuban people, hoping solidarity replaces indifference and charity overcomes division, under the guidance of Our Lady of Charity of El Cobre, Cuba’s Patroness.