On Friday, Secretary of State Marco Rubio issued a stern warning about the $100 million in food and medicines currently available for the Cuban populace, highlighting the Cuban regime as the sole barrier. His comments, shared by the State Department on its official X account, underscored the ongoing challenges in delivering aid to Cuba.
In an interview with NBC, Rubio was unequivocal: "The Cuban people need to know there are $100 million worth of food and medicines ready for them, and the only reason they're not receiving it is because of the Cuban regime."
Rubio emphasized that Washington has one critical condition for the aid's distribution: it must be managed by non-governmental organizations, not the Cuban government. "The only stipulation is that it must be distributed by NGOs. It cannot be humanitarian aid for the government to appropriate for itself," he insisted.
He also referenced the past aid provided after Hurricane Melissa, where Washington allocated nine million dollars through Cáritas Cuba, bypassing the regime entirely. By May 8, 82% of the initial three-million-dollar donation had been utilized, aiding approximately 8,800 families in Santiago de Cuba, Holguín, Las Tunas, Granma, and Guantánamo.
The State Department formally extended the $100 million offer on May 13, specifying that the funds would be funneled through the Catholic Church—Cáritas—and independent NGOs, deliberately excluding the Cuban state. The statement also disclosed previous "numerous private offers" from Washington, including free satellite internet via Starlink, all of which were rejected by Havana.
Shift in Cuban Government's Stance
In a significant shift within 48 hours, Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodríguez Parrilla initially dismissed the offer as a "$100 million lie." However, by Thursday, Rodríguez had softened his stance, stating that Cuba is "open to working with the Catholic Church" and is "willing to hear the details of the offer."
On the same day, Díaz-Canel posted on X that if the U.S. genuinely intends to provide aid in line with recognized humanitarian practices, Cuba will "not present obstacles or ingratitude," highlighting priorities such as fuel, food, and medicine.
Energy Crisis and Public Unrest
This shift occurs amid an unprecedented energy crisis. Energy Minister Vicente de la O Levy acknowledged on Thursday that Cuba has "absolutely no fuel, no diesel, only associated gas." The electrical deficit exceeded 2,204 MW during peak nighttime hours, resulting in blackouts lasting up to 22 hours in Havana.
Thursday night saw protests erupt in at least 12 Havana municipalities, including Guanabacoa, Marianao, Playa, San Miguel del Padrón, and Vedado, featuring barricades, bonfires, and police crackdowns. The Cuban Conflict Observatory recorded 1,133 protests in April 2026, marking a 29.5% increase compared to April 2025.
Cuban-American Congressman Carlos Giménez had warned since May 13 that the Cuban government would seek to "steal the aid and profit by reselling it to the people," a warning that Rubio has made central to his public stance: the aid will only reach the Cuban people if the regime is entirely excluded from the distribution chain.
Frequently Asked Questions About U.S. Aid to Cuba
Why is the U.S. offering $100 million in aid to Cuba?
The U.S. is offering this aid to provide much-needed food and medicine to the Cuban people, who are facing severe shortages exacerbated by the Cuban government's policies.
What condition has the U.S. placed on the aid to Cuba?
The U.S. requires that the aid be distributed by non-governmental organizations to ensure it reaches the Cuban population and is not misappropriated by the Cuban government.
How has the Cuban government responded to the U.S. aid offer?
Initially dismissive, the Cuban government has recently expressed a willingness to consider the offer, particularly if it involves collaboration with the Catholic Church.