Republican Congressman Carlos A. Giménez sharply criticized the Cuban regime on Wednesday for turning down over $100 million in food aid offered by the United States, intended for direct distribution to the Cuban people. He accused the dictatorship of rejecting the aid to instead seize it for resale.
"The dictatorship in Havana denies its people the chance to receive over $100 million in food directly distributed by the U.S.," Giménez stated on X.
Giménez made his stance clear: "The regime wants to continue its usual practice: stealing aid and profiting by reselling it to the people."
The congressman's statement echoes the U.S. State Department's warning to Havana, emphasizing that if the regime refuses the $100 million humanitarian aid intended for the Cuban populace, they will be held accountable for obstructing this critical assistance.
The official document, issued by the Office of the Spokesperson, highlights that Washington has made "numerous private offers" to the Cuban regime—including providing free and fast satellite internet along with the $100 million humanitarian aid—all of which have been rejected by the island.
The document clarifies that the aid would be distributed in collaboration with the Catholic Church and other reliable independent humanitarian organizations, specifically to bypass the Cuban state.
The Cuban Regime's Rejection of U.S. Aid
"The decision lies with the Cuban regime: accept our assistance offer or deny crucial aid that saves lives and ultimately face accountability from the Cuban people for blocking this critical assistance," the official text asserts.
The State Department also emphasized that the Cuban communist system "has only served to enrich the elites while condemning the Cuban people to poverty."
On May 8, Secretary of State Marco Rubio disclosed from Rome that Washington had extended its humanitarian offer to the Cuban regime.
"We have offered the regime $100 million in humanitarian aid, which, unfortunately, they have not accepted to distribute to help the people of Cuba," Rubio declared, following a meeting with Pope Leo XIV at the Vatican, where Cuba was a key topic.
Humanitarian Efforts and Political Tensions
Rubio noted that $6 million had already been channeled through Cáritas Cuba and the Catholic Church—chosen deliberately to avoid state interference—benefiting approximately 24,000 individuals in eastern provinces devastated by Hurricane Melissa in October 2025.
Cáritas Cuba reported having executed 82% of the initial $3 million donation, aiding 8,800 families in Santiago de Cuba, Holguín, Las Tunas, Granma, and Guantánamo.
Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodríguez Parrilla responded on Tuesday, dismissing the offer as a "fable" and a "$100 million lie," claiming that "no one knows" in Cuba about such an offer and demanding details on the money's source, delivery method, and the official proposal date.
Deputy Foreign Minister Carlos Fernández de Cossío also labeled the proposal as a "political ploy."
The regime's stance is not unexpected by U.S. officials. In January, Acting Under Secretary of State Jeremy Lewin warned that the Cuban government "could interfere, steal, and divert" humanitarian aid supplies, justifying the alternative distribution channel through the Catholic Church.
Giménez's comments come amid an unprecedented escalation of pressure from Washington on Havana. On May 7, Rubio announced new sanctions against GAESA, the military conglomerate controlling between 40% and 70% of Cuba's formal economy, which Rubio himself described as "the heart of Cuba's kleptocratic communist system."
The Republican politician also criticized senators from his party who oppose more decisive actions against Cuba, accusing them of "never having shown much willingness to stand with the Cuban people."
Foreign companies have until June 5 to sever ties with GAESA or face secondary sanctions, representing one of the most significant economic blows to the regime in decades.
Understanding the U.S. Aid Offer to Cuba
What was the U.S. aid offer to Cuba?
The U.S. offered over $100 million in food aid to be directly distributed to the Cuban people, bypassing the Cuban government.
Why did the Cuban regime reject the U.S. aid offer?
The Cuban regime has consistently rejected offers from the U.S., citing political motives and demanding details about the aid's origin.
How is the aid intended to be distributed?
The aid would be distributed in coordination with the Catholic Church and other independent humanitarian organizations to ensure direct assistance to the Cuban people.