This Wednesday, the U.S. Department of State announced its offer to provide $100 million in direct humanitarian aid to the Cuban people, alongside free satellite internet access through Starlink. Despite the critical nature of this aid, the regime in Havana has repeatedly turned down both proposals.
The official statement from the Office of the Spokesperson revealed that Secretary of State Marco Rubio had made "numerous private offers" to the regime, which included support for "free and fast" satellite internet and the $100 million humanitarian aid, without any favorable response.
As a result of the regime's persistent refusals, Washington decided to publicize the offer, placing the onus directly on Havana: "It is up to the Cuban regime to accept our aid offer or refuse life-saving assistance, ultimately facing accountability before the Cuban people for blocking this help."
The $100 million aid package is now public and involves distribution through the Catholic Church and other independent humanitarian organizations to avoid state interference.
Rubio had disclosed the offer publicly on May 8, following a meeting with Pope Leo XIV at the Vatican, where Cuba was a central topic.
"We have offered the regime $100 million in humanitarian aid, which they have regrettably not yet agreed to distribute to help the Cuban people," stated the Secretary of State.
Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodríguez Parrilla responded on May 12, denying the existence of such an offer, calling it a "fable" and a "100 million dollar lie," while rhetorically questioning: "Is it a donation, a trick, or a dirty deal to undermine our independence?"
The Starlink proposal was introduced on April 10 during the first visit of a U.S. government aircraft to Havana since 2016. A senior State Department official confirmed to EFE that the offered connectivity would be "free, fast, and reliable across the island," directly challenging the telecommunications monopoly held by ETECSA in Cuba.
The regime dismissed the offer, and the official outlet Razones de Cuba published an article titled "Starlink's Hybrid War Against Cuba," inadvertently acknowledging that the satellite network is "inherently resistant to physical attacks or governmental interdict," revealing the true motive for the rejection: fear of losing control over communications.
The Cuban regime equated the installation of Starlink with "the installation of microphones, cameras, or missile launch bases on national territory."
Previously, the U.S. had distributed six million dollars through Caritas Cuba, benefiting around 8,800 families in eastern provinces affected by Hurricane Melissa, which struck the island on October 29, 2025, as a category three storm, impacting over 2.2 million people.
The State Department was unequivocal in holding Havana accountable: "The regime refuses to allow the United States to provide this assistance to the Cuban people, who are in desperate need due to the failures of the corrupt Cuban regime."
This new $100 million offer comes at a time when Cuba is experiencing its deepest economic crisis in decades, with a cumulative contraction of 23% since 2019 and a projected GDP decline of 7.2% by 2026, worsened by the cessation of Venezuelan oil supplies since January this year.
Understanding U.S. Aid Proposals to Cuba
What is the nature of the humanitarian aid offered by the U.S. to Cuba?
The U.S. proposed $100 million in direct humanitarian aid to the Cuban people, aiming for distribution through independent humanitarian organizations to avoid state interference.
Why did the Cuban regime reject the Starlink internet proposal?
The Cuban regime rejected the proposal due to concerns over losing control of communications, as Starlink's satellite network is resistant to governmental interdict and physical attacks.