On Monday, the Cuban government expressed "gratitude" for the humanitarian aid offered by the United States to assist those affected by Hurricane Melissa. However, they emphasized that all foreign assistance will be channeled "in full coordination with the country's authorities." This statement contradicts the announcement made by Washington and the Catholic Church, which assured that the aid would be distributed directly without state intermediaries.
A statement from the Ministry of Foreign Trade and Foreign Investment (MINCEX) acknowledged the offer of three million dollars in material assistance from the United States Catholic Relief Services. It noted that this is in addition to donations from other religious organizations in the U.S.
Nevertheless, the official statement emphasized that the allocation of resources will proceed "in accordance with the requirements that align with the most urgent damage and needs assessment" and "in coordination with our authorities," reaffirming state control over the aid process.
"We have a positive history of years of cooperation linked to the humanitarian work of the Catholic Church in Cuba, which has been successfully carried out in full coordination with our authorities," the statement highlighted.
The regime further insisted that state institutions are working "to channel the support as quickly and efficiently as possible," adding that humanitarian gestures are "appreciated," but always within the framework of their official mechanisms.
The government's response came just hours after the State Department's Bureau of Western Hemisphere Affairs announced that Washington's aid would be distributed in direct coordination with the Catholic Church, without state intervention, to ensure transparency and swift delivery to the hardest-hit areas in eastern Cuba.
The Conference of Catholic Bishops of Cuba also confirmed that the assistance would be managed through ecclesiastical institutions, "without passing through the regime's structures," interpreted by many as a gesture of humanitarian autonomy in the face of the crisis.
The stark contrast between these messages highlights the struggle for political and symbolic control over international aid during crises. While Washington and the Church aim to provide resources directly to the victims, the regime seeks to maintain its role as the mandatory mediator, a pattern seen in past natural disasters that has fueled distrust among Cubans due to the lack of transparency in donation distribution.
Hurricane Melissa, which struck the eastern part of the country on October 29, caused severe damage to homes, crops, and electrical grids in Guantánamo, Granma, Holguín, and Santiago de Cuba, where thousands of families remain without electricity and stable access to food and drinking water.
Understanding the Dynamics of U.S. Aid to Cuba
Why did the Cuban government emphasize coordination with their authorities for aid distribution?
The Cuban government wants to maintain control over the distribution process, which they claim ensures that aid is allocated according to the most pressing needs and in coordination with state mechanisms.
What was the U.S. government's stance on aid distribution to Cuba?
The U.S. government, along with the Catholic Church, intended to distribute aid directly to those in need without the involvement of the Cuban state, to ensure transparency and quick delivery.
What were the effects of Hurricane Melissa in Cuba?
Hurricane Melissa caused severe damage to homes, crops, and electrical infrastructure in eastern Cuba, leaving thousands without electricity and stable access to food and water.