A vessel carrying emergency humanitarian supplies from the Mexican and Uruguayan governments reached Havana on Monday, bringing relief to Cuba as the island nation faces mounting economic difficulties.
The vessel, which set sail from Mexico, transported food supplies and personal hygiene products, officials announced.
Alberto López Díaz, Cuba’s food industry minister, noted the supplies come “at a time of great economic hardship, exacerbated by the tightening of the blockade imposed on our country by the United States government.”
In his statement, he explained the assistance would be handed out “with the utmost responsibility and respect,” with children, the elderly and vulnerable families receiving priority.
The island’s economic troubles and power grid failures have worsened throughout this year following the U.S. invasion of Venezuela in early January, which stopped vital oil deliveries from the South American nation.
Later in January, U.S. President Donald Trump warned he would impose tariffs on any nation that sells or supplies oil to the island.
An acute fuel shortage has continued, while power outages remain widespread throughout the island.
