The Canadian government unveiled a relief package for Cuba on Thursday following intensified efforts by Cuban ambassador Rodrigo Malmierca Díaz to engage Canadian officials. Malmierca highlighted the island's dire situation and requested assistance during his meetings.
Malmierca, who met with members of the Canadian Parliament and high-ranking officials, presented the worsening energy and humanitarian crisis in Cuba. He linked the widespread power outages, fuel shortages, and food scarcity directly to the U.S. embargo.
Since the end of last year, Cuba has not received oil shipments from its main supplier, Venezuela, due to U.S. pressure, leading to a critical shortage that has crippled essential sectors of the economy and daily life, he explained.
Shortly after Malmierca's diplomatic efforts, Canada pledged an immediate delivery of 8 million Canadian dollars in food aid to Cuba. This assistance will be distributed via United Nations agencies, such as the World Food Program and UNICEF, to support the most vulnerable groups facing severe shortages of basic goods.
Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand made this announcement from Parliament Hill, emphasizing that the aid is a humanitarian response to a crisis that has restricted access to food, fuel, and healthcare on the island.
Canada's Shift in Policy Amid Cuba's Energy Crisis
This aid package represents a significant shift in Canadian policy toward Cuba amid the country's worst energy crisis in decades.
Ottawa's decision comes at a time when several airlines, including Canadian ones, have halted flights to Cuba due to fuel shortages, increasing international pressure on Havana.
Malmierca's primary arguments to Canadian parliamentarians revolved around the "economic strangulation" Cuba faces due to the embargo and energy supply blockades, highlighting the need for international solidarity to mitigate the impacts on civilians.
This message resonated in Ottawa as the crisis has escalated since early 2026, causing frequent blackouts, transportation shortages, and growing limitations on basic services, fostering a widespread atmosphere of austerity on the island.
The Cuban government has consistently labeled the impact of U.S. measures on fuel and other essential goods as "criminal," insisting in international forums that the embargo and U.S. coercive actions are to blame for the crisis.
Understanding Canada-Cuba Relations During the Crisis
Why did Canada decide to provide aid to Cuba?
Canada decided to provide aid to Cuba in response to the humanitarian crisis on the island, which has limited access to food, fuel, and healthcare. This decision followed diplomatic efforts by Cuban ambassador Rodrigo Malmierca to highlight the severity of the situation.
What is the current situation in Cuba regarding fuel and basic services?
Cuba is facing a severe crisis characterized by critical fuel shortages, widespread power outages, and a lack of basic services. This situation has been exacerbated by the U.S. embargo and the cessation of oil shipments from Venezuela, affecting daily life and the economy.