In an unexpected development amidst the humanitarian crisis triggered by Hurricane Melissa, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced on Thursday that the American government is prepared to extend "immediate" humanitarian assistance to Cubans affected by the storm.
Through a post on the social media platform X, the Republican official stated that Cuba is now among the countries eligible to receive aid from Washington, although he did not provide further details.
"We are ready to offer immediate humanitarian aid to the Cuban people affected by the hurricane," Rubio briefly stated.
The announcement, later echoed by the U.S. Embassy in Havana, came just a day after Rubio disclosed active coordination with the governments of Jamaica, Haiti, the Dominican Republic, and the Bahamas to address the emergency.
However, at that time, Cuba was not among the nations with which the United States was coordinating joint actions in response to the natural disaster.
A source from the Embassy informed CiberCuba that "more developments are coming," as they await further instructions following Rubio's statement.
Rubio later added a second post, emphasizing the Trump administration's support for the "brave Cuban people."
"After the devastation caused by Hurricane Melissa in eastern Cuba, the Trump administration stands in solidarity with the brave Cuban people, who continue to struggle to meet their basic needs," he wrote.
The Secretary of State further noted that "the United States is prepared to provide immediate humanitarian assistance, both directly and through local partners who can distribute it more effectively to those in need."
This statement comes amidst a political landscape marked by sanctions against the Havana regime and a consistent rejection of rapprochement efforts by the Trump administration.
Historical Context: Aid and Political Tensions
Recent history has demonstrated that offers of humanitarian aid between the United States and Cuba during natural disasters have been rare and politically sensitive.
In 2022, following the devastating Hurricane Ian, the Havana government requested emergency assistance from the Biden administration. That request resulted in a limited response, yet it signaled an uncommon willingness to engage amidst diplomatic tensions.
A few months earlier, after the Matanzas Supertanker Base fire, Cuba had requested technical assistance from Washington.
However, on other occasions, U.S. humanitarian aid offers have been rejected by the Cuban government, citing concerns over national sovereignty. Rubio's current announcement continues the tradition of occasional and constrained aid.
As of now, the Cuban government has not officially responded to Rubio's message. State media and official channels have not reported any statements regarding the U.S. offer.
What remains clear is that the crisis in eastern Cuba demands substantial resources. Torrential rains, floods, and damage to critical infrastructure in provinces like Santiago de Cuba, Holguín, and Granma have left communities isolated and entire areas without electricity or clean water.
FAQs on U.S. Humanitarian Aid to Cuba
What prompted the U.S. to offer aid to Cuba?
The offer of aid was prompted by the humanitarian crisis caused by Hurricane Melissa, which brought severe damage to eastern Cuba.
Has Cuba responded to the U.S. offer for help?
As of now, the Cuban government has not issued any official response to the United States' offer of humanitarian aid.
Is this the first time the U.S. offers aid to Cuba?
No, there have been previous instances of the U.S. offering aid to Cuba, particularly during natural disasters, although such interactions have been politically delicate.