Key facts
- A ship carrying nearly 100 tons of food and essential goods from Colombia has arrived in Havana.
- The shipment included non-perishable food, medicine, hospital supplies, and electrical materials.
- The arrival is part of humanitarian aid efforts to Cuba amid ongoing crises.
- U.S. sanctions and an energy embargo have deepened Cuba's existing challenges.
- Cuba produces only 40% of its oil needs, contributing to severe power outages.
A ship carrying nearly 100 tons of food and essential goods from Colombia docked in Havana on Friday, aiming to alleviate crises in Cuba exacerbated by U.S. sanctions and an energy embargo.
The vessel, which departed Cartagena in early June, arrived flying the Colombian flag and was escorted by a Cuban auxiliary vessel. The shipment, ordered by Colombian President Gustavo Petro, included non-perishable food, medicine, hospital supplies, electrical materials, and solar panels. Solidarity groups also contributed seven tons of goods.
This aid follows another shipment last weekend of 1,700 tons of essential goods from Mexico and Belize. Cuba faces ongoing challenges due to U.S. sanctions, which have been deepened by threats of tariffs from U.S. President Donald Trump on countries supplying oil to the island. Cuba produces only 40% of its oil, leading to significant power outages.