Colombian Ship Arrives in Cuba with 240 Tons of Humanitarian Aid

A Colombian Navy vessel docked at Guillermón Moncada port on Wednesday, delivering a significant shipment of 240 tons of humanitarian aid to Cuba's eastern provinces, which have been severely impacted by Hurricane Melissa.

The ship, known as ARC Victoria, carried essential supplies including food, hygiene kits, drinking water, gasoline, and petroleum.

This arrival signifies a profound gesture of solidarity from the Colombian people to the Cuban communities grappling with shortages of basic necessities, extended power outages, and extensive damage to homes and infrastructure.

Local reports indicate that the Revolutionary Navy and Santiago de Cuba's Port Services collaborated to ensure a swift and secure unloading of the cargo.

A ceremonial event is also planned to acknowledge the international support provided by Colombia. "A gesture of solidarity and international cooperation for eastern Cuba," read a social media post by Cuba's Transportation Minister, Eduardo Rodríguez Dávila, confirming the vessel's arrival.

The ARC Victoria embarked from Cartagena, commanded by frigate captain María Ángela Fuentes, with a crew of 65 responsible for delivering the aid to Cuban authorities.

The mission from Colombia includes 54 tons of dry cargo—food kits, hygiene supplies, mosquito nets, and UHT milk—along with 56,000 gallons of diesel, gasoline, and potable water aimed at addressing the urgent needs of families affected by the natural disaster.

The departure ceremony in Cartagena included notable figures such as Carlos Carrillo, Director of the National Unit for Disaster Risk Management (UNGRD); Cuba's Ambassador to Colombia, Javier Caamaño Cairo; and Rear Admiral Carlos Hernando Oramas, Commander of the Caribbean Naval Force.

"The Caribbean is not alone. This is an interagency effort by the Government of Change, where the entire National Risk Management System works together. Colombia reaffirms its commitment and solidarity with the Caribbean peoples," stated Carlos Carrillo.

This shipment follows an initial dispatch of 22 tons of humanitarian aid sent by Colombia to Cuba and Jamaica at the end of October, in response to the devastation caused by Hurricane Melissa. That shipment included over a thousand food and hygiene kits, along with sheets and mosquito nets.

Hurricane Melissa left a trail of destruction in eastern Cuba, where thousands of families remain without electricity or clean water, and international aid efforts continue to focus their relief efforts.