U.S. Increases Aid to Cuba with Additional $6 Million for Hurricane Melissa Victims

The United States unveiled a fresh humanitarian aid package worth $6 million for Cuba on Thursday, at the same time ramping up its efforts to cut off the island's fuel supply. This strategy has already intensified the energy crisis and exacerbated shortages affecting millions of Cubans.

This announcement, made by the State Department, confirmed the Trump Administration's intention to provide funds as "direct assistance to the Cuban people," bypassing the regime entirely.

"Building on the recently announced partnership with the Catholic Church and Caritas, the Trump Administration is announcing an additional $6 million in direct assistance for the Cuban people," stated the State Department's release.

With this commitment, Washington has raised the total aid to $9 million since Hurricane Melissa struck eastern Cuba in October, as noted by Jeremy Lewin, a senior aid official at the State Department, in remarks reported by Reuters.

The aid package includes essential food items like rice, beans, pasta, and canned tuna, along with solar lamps to deal with power outages. This assistance is primarily directed toward the eastern provinces affected by the cyclone.

Distribution from Miami and Local Parishes' Role

According to the State Department, supplies will be dispatched from Miami and distributed directly by local parish representatives through Caritas and the Catholic Church.

"This assistance will be delivered... with pre-packaged goods transported from Miami and handed over by local parish representatives," detailed the official statement.

Washington emphasized that this approach aims to prevent the Cuban regime from interfering with or diverting resources, a point reiterated in recent weeks by the U.S. embassy in Havana and Lewin's public statements.

"This method has proven highly effective in ensuring that the failed Cuban regime does not interfere with or divert assistance meant for those in need," added the statement.

The State Department also issued a stern warning to Miguel Díaz-Canel's government: any attempt to meddle in the distribution will result in consequences.

"Let there be no doubt: the regime must make no effort to interfere... the regime will be held accountable by the United States and its own people for any interference," Washington declared.

Humanitarian Aid Amid a Crippling Crisis

The aid announcement comes as Cuba faces a critical situation marked by widespread blackouts, food shortages, transportation collapse, and general deterioration of basic services.

However, this humanitarian aid is being provided while Washington also tightens measures to halt fuel flow to the island, a pressure that has resulted in what Reuters described as a "crippling shortage."

Jeremy Lewin dismissed any responsibility of the United States for the humanitarian crisis, asserting that the Cuban regime has failed to ensure basic necessities for its population.

"They have billions of dollars but do not use them to buy food for the average Cuban citizen," Lewin stated, as reported by the Associated Press.

The official directly blamed Cuba's leadership, accusing the government of diverting resources to its repressive apparatus and foreign influence.

"For years, the island has hoarded all resources for the few senile elders who run the country... for the security apparatus," said Lewin, who also noted that his mother was born in Havana.

Potential for Increased U.S. Aid if Allowed by Havana

In its official note, the State Department left the door open to further expanding support, but it conditioned any additional steps on the regime's "allowance."

"Beyond this tranche of assistance, the United States is prepared to increase direct support to the Cuban people. The corrupt regime simply needs to allow it," the statement read.

Lewin reiterated this stance to reporters, assuring that Washington is ready for new announcements should the Cuban government stop obstructing aid and focus on its population's needs.

"They should focus on caring for their people, not making boastful statements," he said.

Meanwhile, in Cuba, the average citizen remains trapped between hunger, blackouts, and daily uncertainty, with aid arriving in boxes from Miami... and a nation increasingly darkened by fuel shortages.