The Ministry of Domestic Trade (MINCIN) in Cuba has announced that citizens have a 30-day period to collect items from the Mexican aid shipments, starting from the moment these goods arrive at retail outlets. These supplies are being distributed free of charge in local stores and are recorded in the ration book.
This announcement aligns with the rollout of the third Mexican shipment, which arrived on March 13 and includes sugar, beans, rice, lentils, and powdered milk. From the EMPA Habana I wholesale warehouse, the goods have been distributed to areas such as Arroyo Naranjo, Marianao, Mayabeque, and Cienfuegos.
In La Lisa, distribution is restricted to prioritized groups: pregnant women, underweight children, and seniors over 65. In Pinar del Río, skimmed powdered milk is allocated to children aged one to six, with each child receiving one kilogram. Matanzas has also received part of the aid, which will soon be distributed to pregnant women and underweight children.
For distribution inquiries, MINCIN has set up communication channels through the "Bodegas" Telegram group, the Unified Trade Line (80022624), and the number 78315238 for Havana residents. The ministry emphasized that "consumers have a 30-day period from the arrival at retail points to acquire these products."
Since February 2026, Mexico has dispatched at least four humanitarian shipments to Cuba. The first, amounting to 814 tons, arrived on February 12. The second, delivered by the ships ARM Papaloapan and ARM Huasteco, brought 1,193 tons of beans, powdered milk, and various foods, arriving on February 28.
The third shipment, currently being distributed, reached Cuba on March 13. President Claudia Sheinbaum has confirmed a fourth shipment containing over 1,000 additional tons of food and medical supplies.
Controversy Surrounding Distribution of Donated Goods
The distribution process has not been without controversy. A TV Azteca report highlighted instances of Mexican-donated products being sold in TRD Caribe stores—linked to the Cuban military—at dollar prices: beans priced at $2.97 per half kilogram or $43 for a 30-kilogram sack. MINCIN has denied these allegations, and Cuba's ambassador to Mexico, Eugenio Martínez Enríquez, dismissed them as "lies and misinformation." Marpessa Portal Devilliers, the director of MINCIN, firmly stated that the donations "cannot be commercialized."
On the ground, citizen reports reveal distributions falling short of expectations. A four-year-old in Havana's Calleja neighborhood received a package of Maria cookies and two cans of tuna this Tuesday, while his 12-year-old brother received a package of cookies and a can of vegetables. In Güira de Melena, families received just a single pack of cookies per household. These instances contrast sharply with the announced total volume of shipments, causing dissatisfaction among the population.
Cuba's Struggle Amid a Severe Humanitarian Crisis
Cuba is enduring one of its worst humanitarian crises, with 36% of its population experiencing food insecurity according to the World Food Program, and power outages lasting up to 30 hours a day.
MINCIN described the aid process as a "solidarity effort" that "reinforces the bonds of brotherhood between Mexico and Cuba," yet the gap between official rhetoric and the reality faced by Cuban families remains significant.
Key Questions About Cuban Aid Distribution
What is the current status of Mexican aid distribution in Cuba?
The third shipment of Mexican aid, including essential food items, is currently being distributed across various Cuban regions with a 30-day acquisition period for citizens.
How have Cuban authorities responded to allegations of aid mismanagement?
Cuban authorities, including MINCIN and the Cuban ambassador to Mexico, have denied claims of donated goods being sold and have condemned such reports as false and misleading.
Who are the prioritized recipients of the aid in Cuba?
Priority is given to pregnant women, underweight children, and seniors over the age of 65, with specific allocations of powdered milk for young children in certain regions.