Mexico sends two more aid ships to Cuba with 1,000+ tons of supplies

2026-02-25 - 10:32

The Mexican government dispatched two additional humanitarian aid ships to Cuba on Tuesday, transporting more than 1,000 tons of supplies to help the island nation cope with severe fuel shortages and prolonged blackouts. The logistics support vessels Papaloapan and Huasteco departed the port of Veracruz carrying a total of 1,193 tons of provisions, including beans and powdered milk, according to El Universal. Humanitarian Coordination The shipment includes 23 tons of humanitarian aid collected by civil society organizations with support from the Mexico City government at a collection center in the Historic Center, representing an initial delivery from that effort. The maritime transport operation involves more than 350 naval personnel, along with a crane and five forklifts, with the journey expected to take approximately four days. The new supplies add to 814 tons previously sent under President Claudia Sheinbaum's administration. Cuba's Economic Crisis Cuba is experiencing its most severe economic downturn in decades as the United States has intensified pressure on the Communist-ruled island in recent weeks by moving to block oil shipments, including supplies from ally Venezuela. The measures have driven up food and transportation costs, caused severe fuel shortages, and led to nationwide blackouts. Mexico's ongoing humanitarian shipments represent a lifeline for the Cuban people and underscore the strong bilateral relationship between the two nations, as well as Mexico's commitment to regional solidarity in the face of external pressure.