An international convoy carrying humanitarian aid is scheduled to reach Havana on March 21, amidst one of the most severe crises Cuba has faced in decades.
Initially conceived as a maritime flotilla, the initiative evolved into a coordinated operation "by air, sea, and land," under the banner "Nuestra América Convoy To Cuba," as confirmed by its organizers in statements sent to news agencies.
From Maritime Flotilla to Comprehensive International Convoy
According to the project’s promoters, the original concept of a flotilla expanded following overwhelming international support.
"In response to the global solidarity with Cuba, the initial Flotilla concept has transitioned into a coordinated Convoy by air, land, and sea, set to converge in Havana on March 21," organizers stated in a document shared with AFP.
EFE reported that the convoy will deliver "food, medicines, medical supplies, and essential goods," with the convergence point being the Malecón in Havana, one of the city's most iconic locations.
The initiative is backed by "an international coalition of movements, trade unionists, parliamentarians, humanitarian organizations, and public figures."
Delegations from various countries are already working on gathering supplies, purchasing essential goods, and organizing logistics for the transport to the island.
As of now, details regarding the countries of origin for these delegations or the specific entry mechanisms into Cuban territory have not been disclosed. It also remains unclear whether public figures who have voiced their support will travel to the island.
Political Support and International Figures Rally Behind the Convoy
Among those who have publicly supported the initiative is Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg, who took part in the 2025 Global Sumud Flotilla aimed at delivering aid to Gaza.
In the statement, Thunberg emphasized: "The United States is currently engaged in a brutal act of collective punishment against the Cuban people."
She added, "I support this convoy to Cuba […] because international solidarity is the only force powerful enough to challenge imperial figures like Trump and Netanyahu."
U.S. Congresswoman Rashida Tlaib has also expressed her backing for the initiative.
American political activist David Adler, one of the organizers, explained that the goal mirrors their previous efforts with the flotilla to Gaza last year: "to challenge a blockade that was starving the civilian population."
The promoters acknowledge that several individuals involved in the mission to Cuba previously participated in the Sumud flotilla to Palestinian territories.
The Dire Economic Situation in Cuba
Cuba is enduring one of its deepest economic downturns in decades, characterized by chronic shortages, high inflation, and the deterioration of basic services.
The scarcity of fuel has led to prolonged blackouts across several provinces, disruptions in public transportation, and partial halts in productive sectors.
This is compounded by the shortage of food and medicines, forcing the population to resort to the informal market, where prices are often unaffordable for most state salaries.
The situation has worsened due to the tightening of Washington's policies under Donald Trump's administration, which reinforced the embargo and imposed additional sanctions related to oil supplies to the island.
After blocking Venezuelan crude shipments and threatening measures against countries trading hydrocarbons with Havana, the energy pressure intensified.
Simultaneously, the Cuban government has implemented emergency plans, rationing, and economic adjustments that have failed to halt the decline in purchasing power or the growing social discontent.
Questions About the Humanitarian Convoy and Cuba's Crisis
What is the purpose of the international convoy to Cuba?
The convoy aims to deliver humanitarian aid, including food, medicines, medical supplies, and essential goods, to help alleviate the severe crisis that Cuba is experiencing.
Who is supporting the humanitarian effort to Cuba?
The initiative is supported by an international coalition of movements, trade unionists, parliamentarians, humanitarian organizations, and public figures like Greta Thunberg and Rashida Tlaib.
How has the U.S. embargo affected Cuba?
The U.S. embargo, reinforced under Donald Trump's administration, has exacerbated Cuba's economic crisis by intensifying the shortage of fuel and imposing additional sanctions, complicating the island's ability to obtain necessary resources.