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Shipment sent by Colombia arrives in Havana with food, medicine, hospital supplies, and solar panels, amid the Cuban energy crisis, marked by blackouts, fuel shortages, and supply difficulties affecting essential services on the island.
Cuba received on Friday (12), at the port of Havana, a shipment of humanitarian aid sent by Colombia amid the worsening economic and energy crisis on the island.
The Colombian Navy vessel carried about 100 tons of food, medicine, hospital supplies, and solar panels, according to information released by the Colombian government and reproduced by RFI.
The shipment occurred at a time of strong pressure on Cuban supply, after the United States imposed, at the end of January, restrictions on the supply of oil to the country.
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Since then, according to the investigation published by RFI, Cuba has received only one Russian oil tanker, and the reserves of that shipment have already been consumed.
Departing from Cartagena, Colombia, the ACR Caribe ship arrived in Havana to deliver items aimed at reducing immediate difficulties faced by the Cuban population.
The fuel shortage has affected public transportation, caused interruptions in energy supply, and increased supply problems in essential sectors.
Colombian Humanitarian Aid Arrives in Cuba
The shipment sent by the government of President Gustavo Petro included basic items for emergency care, such as food, medicine, and hospital supplies.
Among the materials transported were also solar panels, included as part of the assistance sent to the country amid the energy crisis faced by the island.
According to Bogotá, the cargo was sent “considering the difficulties faced by the island due to the consequences of recent natural disasters and the complex energy and economic situation.”
The statement was attributed to the Colombian government and is included in the information published by outlets that followed the arrival of the vessel.
On Friday morning (12), the vessel docked in Havana after leaving Cartagena with the humanitarian cargo sent by Colombia.
The operation is part of regional cooperation with Cuba in a phase marked by limitations in fuel access, supply problems, and impacts of recent climatic events.
Although solar panels do not meet the entirety of Cuban energy demand, the equipment was included in the shipment to support structures benefiting from humanitarian aid.
Oil blockade increases fuel shortage
The Cuban energy crisis worsened after Washington imposed restrictions on the supply of oil to the island, under the justification that Cuba would represent a threat to the national security of the United States.
The measure reduced the country’s access to fuel shipments and had effects on the economy, according to information published by sources monitoring the crisis.
After the adoption of the oil blockade, only one Russian tanker reached Cuba, according to available information.
As the reserves of this shipment have already been used, the island began to face additional difficulties in maintaining basic services, transportation, and part of productive activity.
The lack of fuel adds to frequent blackouts and restrictions in public transportation.
With about 9.6 million inhabitants, Cuba faces a combination of shortages, economic difficulties, and damage associated with climatic events, according to information cited in reports on international aid.
On the same Friday (12), the Cuban government reported that it is working on a series of “priorities” to respond to the worsening economic and social situation.
The measures, however, have not been detailed in the information released so far.
Mexico, Uruguay, and Belize also sent support
Colombia was not the only country to participate in assistance efforts to Cuba.
Since February, Mexico has sent six maritime shipments with humanitarian aid, while civil society organizations from Uruguay and Belize also contributed with donations.
These shipments aim to reduce the effects of shortages and assist people affected by recent natural disasters.
Part of the assistance was also directed to needs associated with the passage of Hurricane Melissa, which caused damage to homes and infrastructure, according to information published about the international mobilization.
Regional cooperation gained relevance because the Cuban crisis involves simultaneous factors, such as difficulty accessing fuels, problems in the electrical system, and economic limitations.
Besides the restriction on oil supply, the country deals with accumulated damage from climatic events that hit areas described as vulnerable by the consulted sources.
In the Colombian case, the operation had a humanitarian character and was presented by Bogotá as a response to the difficulties faced by the island.
The load of 100 tons does not meet all the country’s demands, but it reinforces external support at a time of reduction in the supply of energy and essential goods.
Cuban government prepares priorities against the crisis
Cuban authorities stated that they are working on priorities to reform the economic and social model in response to the crisis.
The statement was released on the same day Colombian aid arrived in Havana, but there was no public detailing of which measures will be adopted.
Without the disclosure of specific information, it is not possible to assess the scope of the changes under consideration.
Even so, the announcement shows that the Cuban government has presented the crisis as a central theme of its internal agenda, in the face of blackouts, fuel shortages, and supply limitations.
While seeking new alternatives, Cuba maintains negotiations and articulations with allied countries to expand cooperation in energy and ensure new shipments of supplies.
The arrival of the ACR Caribe is part of this set of emergency assistance actions and regional support.
As the aid received so far meets only part of the immediate needs, Cuba remains dependent on new shipments and internal measures to reduce the effects of the crisis on the population.
With reduced fuel reserves and difficulties in the electrical system, the island continues to seek alternatives to maintain basic services and expand the supply of energy and essential goods.
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