This Tuesday, the Mexican government dispatched a fresh shipment of humanitarian aid to Cuba, consisting of nearly 1,200 tons of supplies. Transported by two vessels from the Mexican Navy, the shipment departed from the port of Veracruz headed for the island nation.
According to the official announcement, this aid delivery is carried out “under the directive of Dr. Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo, the constitutional president of the United Mexican States,” with the aim of supporting the Cuban civilian population.
The Secretary of the Navy stated, “On Tuesday, the Logistic Support Ships Papaloapan and Huasteco departed from the port of Veracruz carrying a total of 1,193 tons of supplies intended for the civilian population of Cuba.”
Contents of the Aid Shipment
The bulk of this assistance consists of essential food items.
As outlined in the statement:
- The ship ARM Papaloapan is transporting 1,078 tons of beans and powdered milk.
- The ship ARM Huasteco carries an additional 92 tons of beans along with 23 tons of assorted food items.
Regarding the latter portion, the Mexican government clarified that “these 23 tons of humanitarian aid were provided by various social organizations with assistance from the Government of Mexico City at the collection center located in the Historic Center, representing an initial delivery.”
This means that aside from the primary shipment funded and organized by the Mexican state, a segment of the food aid comes from donations collected through drives in the country's capital.
Naval Operation and Transportation
For this logistical operation, more than 350 naval personnel were mobilized, along with a crane and five forklifts for loading and unloading the cargo.
The estimated maritime voyage duration is four days.
The announcement emphasized that “the people of Mexico uphold their tradition of solidarity with the Latin American nations, particularly with the Cuban people,” and noted that in recent months, Mexico has also sent aid to other countries affected by natural disasters.
Second Shipment in February
This marks the second humanitarian shipment to Cuba in February.
The first, which arrived in Havana on February 12, comprised 814 tons.
The latest delivery takes place amidst the severe economic crisis plaguing the island, characterized by power outages, fuel shortages, a partially crippled transportation system, and a persistent rise in prices.
The dispatch of these ships coincides with Claudia Sheinbaum’s administration engaging in discussions with Washington to explore the resumption of oil shipments to Cuba.
For now, Mexican support materializes in the form of basic food supplies: beans, powdered milk, and other essential goods, amounting to nearly 1,200 tons intended—according to the Mexican government—for the Cuban civilian population.
Frequently Asked Questions about Mexico's Humanitarian Aid to Cuba
What comprises the humanitarian aid sent by Mexico to Cuba?
The aid includes nearly 1,200 tons of essential food supplies such as beans, powdered milk, and assorted food items.
Who organized the humanitarian shipment from Mexico to Cuba?
The shipment was organized under the directive of Dr. Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo, with contributions from the Mexican government and social organizations.
How long will the shipment take to reach Cuba?
The estimated duration of the maritime voyage from Mexico to Cuba is four days.