On Thursday, Miguel Díaz-Canel took to X to express openness to accepting a $100 million humanitarian aid package proposed by the United States. However, he did not miss the opportunity to blame the American embargo for Cuba’s crisis, describing the humanitarian situation as "deliberately engineered and induced."
While considering the acceptance, Díaz-Canel stipulated that the aid must be delivered "in full accordance with universally recognized humanitarian practices." He labeled the offer as "inconsequential and paradoxical," arguing that the U.S. systematically and relentlessly punishes the Cuban people.
"The damage could be alleviated more easily and swiftly by lifting or easing the blockade, as it's well known that the humanitarian situation is deliberately engineered," he remarked.
Shift in Stance Amid Criticism
The change in rhetoric is notable. Just 48 hours prior, Foreign Minister Bruno Rodríguez Parrilla dismissed the offer as a "fable" and a "$100 million lie," while Deputy Minister Carlos Fernández de Cossío called it a "dirty political maneuver."
Yet, on Thursday, the Cuban regime reversed course, expressing willingness to consider the conditions of the offer. They prioritized "fuel, food, and medicine," implicitly acknowledging the collapse brought about by decades of mismanagement.
Energy Crisis Unveiled
What Díaz-Canel fails to mention is that the energy crisis prompting this turnaround is a consequence of the government's own policies. Energy Minister Vicente de la O Levy admitted on Wednesday that Cuba is out of fuel: "not a drop of fuel, diesel, only associated gas." From December 2025 to the end of March 2026, no fuel shipments reached the island.
On Thursday, the electricity generation deficit exceeded 2,204 MW during peak evening hours, breaking the previous record of 2,113 MW set on Wednesday. Power outages affect up to 70% of the country, with 20 to 22-hour daily cuts in Havana. The Antonio Guiteras thermoelectric plant, Cuba's largest generator, experienced its ninth breakdown of the year.
Reliance on Foreign Aid
The only exception to the shortage was a Russian donation of 100,000 tons of crude oil, which arrived on March 31, 2026, and was depleted by May, highlighting the regime's dependency on its allies and the structural fragility of its system.
The State Department formalized the $100 million offer on Wednesday, clarifying that funds would be distributed through the Catholic Church and independent humanitarian organizations, without Cuban government involvement.
The statement also revealed that Washington had made "numerous private offers" previously, including free Starlink satellite Internet, all of which Havana rejected.
Attempt to Legitimize Regime Role
This exclusion of the Cuban government from the distribution partly explains Díaz-Canel's response. By noting that the regime's experience with the Catholic Church is "rich and productive," they attempt to position themselves as legitimate interlocutors in a plan designed to bypass them.
The U.S. model has a precedent: after Hurricane Melissa in October, Washington channeled nine million dollars through Caritas, aiding approximately 8,800 families in eastern provinces, all without government intervention.
From Air Force One, Secretary of State Marco Rubio declared that "what is happening in Cuba is unacceptable," and the regime "has driven the island to ruin." CEPAL forecasts a 6.5% contraction of Cuba's GDP for 2026, the worst in Latin America.
Understanding the Implications of U.S. Aid to Cuba
What conditions has Díaz-Canel set for accepting U.S. aid?
Díaz-Canel has stipulated that the aid must be delivered in full compliance with universally recognized humanitarian practices.
Why is the U.S. aid offer considered "paradoxical" by Díaz-Canel?
Díaz-Canel considers the aid offer paradoxical because he perceives it as contradictory to the systematic punishment he claims the U.S. inflicts on Cuba.
How is the Cuban government excluded from the aid distribution?
The U.S. has proposed distributing the aid through the Catholic Church and independent humanitarian organizations, bypassing the Cuban government entirely.