The United States Department of State announced on Friday that the $100 million humanitarian aid package promised to Cuba is ready for distribution starting this July. This package, which includes food and medicine, directly contradicts Cuban leader Miguel Díaz-Canel's recent statements, as reported by journalist Wilfredo Cancio Isla in an investigation by Café Fuerte.
An official from the State Department informed Café Fuerte, "We can confirm that the aid is prepared for delivery, but the illegitimate regime of Miguel Díaz-Canel has been delaying approval. We anticipate substantial shipments in July if the regime permits."
These remarks come in response to Díaz-Canel's claims during an interview with the Corripio Communication Group of the Dominican Republic. Published in the official Granma newspaper on June 25, Díaz-Canel argued that the aid would not arrive until after September and would exclude food and medicine.
The State Department firmly denied these assertions: "That is completely false. The shipments from the State Department do include food, as proven during inspections in the humanitarian aid phases following Hurricane Melissa [October 2025]. This can be corroborated by the Catholic Church and other NGOs."
During the interview, Díaz-Canel also suggested the delay was due to the Trump administration "calculating the timing" regarding future developments in Cuba.
The State Department official further noted that Washington had offered to bring several reputable non-governmental organizations to the island to provide medical services, but the regime refused to accept them.
The $100 million aid package was officially proposed in May 2026, following two prior aid installments totaling $9 million that began in January as a response to the damages from Hurricane Melissa, which struck eastern Cuba in October 2025, impacting approximately one million people.
The Cuban government formally accepted the $100 million proposal. In mid-June, the State Department outlined the distribution: $60 million will be managed by the Catholic Church, and the remaining $40 million through highly trusted NGOs.
As part of the coordination efforts, the head of the U.S. diplomatic mission in Havana, Mike Hammer, met with Sean Callahan, president of Catholic Relief Services, Carmen María Nodal Martínez, director of Cáritas Cuba, and Dionisio García Ibáñez, Archbishop of Santiago de Cuba.
The U.S. embassy stated in a note that these meetings focused on coordinating the distribution of humanitarian aid to ensure that the support effectively reaches those in need.
To date, Cáritas reports having delivered 82% of previous humanitarian donations, benefiting around 8,800 families in the provinces of Santiago de Cuba, Holguín, Las Tunas, Bayamo, and Guantánamo.
This entire process unfolds amid secret bilateral discussions initiated in early 2026, where humanitarian aid, oil, and energy have been central topics, according to a Washington source cited by Café Fuerte.
Bruno Rodríguez Parrilla, Cuba's foreign minister, stated on Tuesday that negotiations with the U.S. show no progress, although he acknowledged that American delegations have been "generally respectful," contrasting with ongoing sanctions and threats.
Key Questions About U.S. Humanitarian Aid to Cuba
What does the $100 million U.S. aid to Cuba include?
The aid package includes food and medicine, aimed at helping those affected by Hurricane Melissa and other challenges in Cuba.
Why has the aid been delayed?
The delay has been attributed to the Cuban regime's hesitation in approving the distribution of the aid.
Who will manage the distribution of the aid?
The distribution will be managed by the Catholic Church and several highly trusted non-governmental organizations.