U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio disclosed on Friday that Washington has extended an offer of $100 million in humanitarian aid to the Cuban regime.
Despite the offer, Rubio asserts that the Havana government has rejected the distribution of this aid to the Cuban people, a point emphasized in remarks shared by journalist Eric Daugherty.
"We've proposed $100 million in humanitarian assistance to the regime, which unfortunately, they have so far declined to distribute to help the people of Cuba," Rubio stated.
The Secretary of State criticized the Cuban government, labeling it as an "incompetent regime" that has "ruined the country and its economy."
He noted that $6 million has already been distributed through Caritas and the Catholic Church—channels chosen by the U.S. to bypass the Cuban state's involvement—and that Washington is prepared to offer much more.
"We provided relief after the hurricane, but we're offering more, and it's the regime that's refusing it," Rubio emphasized. "The regime is the obstacle in the way."
Rubio's comments came a day after meeting with Pope Leo XIV at the Vatican, where discussions centered on Cuba and expanding humanitarian aid, facilitated through the Catholic Church.
The immediate backdrop to this situation is Hurricane Melissa, which struck Cuba on October 29, 2025 as a category three storm, severely affecting the eastern part of the island.
Since then, the U.S. has allocated a total of $9 million in humanitarian aid, reaching about 24,000 people in eastern provinces, with deliveries arriving at the port of Santiago de Cuba in various phases.
The $100 million figure marks a significant increase from the already committed $9 million and is the highest amount publicly mentioned by Rubio concerning aid to Cuba. The U.S. insists that any assistance must reach the people directly, without the Cuban state's involvement.
The Cuban regime, however, has maintained an openly hostile stance.
Deputy Foreign Minister Carlos Fernández de Cossío dismissed the aid as a "dirty political business," while Cuba's ambassador to Belgium labeled it as "handouts."
This week, the Cuban regime publicly downplayed the shipments, referring to them as "little bags" and accused Washington of attempting to "starve and drive the Cuban people to despair."
Cuba's Ministry of Foreign Affairs went further, claiming that the U.S. aims to "provoke an explosion" on the island, in response to the growing diplomatic pressure from the Trump administration.
Rubio also announced new sanctions on Thursday against Grupo de Administración Empresarial S.A. (GAESA), a conglomerate controlled by the Cuban military, amid a week of simultaneous pressure escalation and dialogue offers to Havana.
"We hope to achieve this because we genuinely want to assist the Cuban people, who are suffering under this incompetent regime," Rubio concluded, leaving the door open for future negotiations.
FAQs on U.S. Humanitarian Aid to Cuba
Why is the U.S. offering humanitarian aid to Cuba?
The U.S. is offering humanitarian aid to support the Cuban people who are suffering due to economic hardships and the aftermath of natural disasters, like Hurricane Melissa.
What is the Cuban regime's response to the U.S. aid offer?
The Cuban regime has rejected the U.S. aid, labeling it as a political maneuver and has refused to distribute it to the Cuban people.
How does the U.S. plan to deliver aid without the Cuban government's involvement?
The U.S. plans to deliver aid through organizations like Caritas and the Catholic Church to ensure it reaches the Cuban people directly, bypassing the Cuban government.