MediCuba S.A., the Cuban state company responsible for importing medicines and supplies for the National Health System, has reported the delay of 10 containers holding essential resources, stranded at ports in Jamaica and Colombia. This complaint was shared on social media on July 16 and echoed by Cuban state media outlets on Tuesday.
The company attributes the predicament to shipping lines CMA CGM (France) and Hapag-Lloyd (Germany), which ceased their operations to Cuba in May 2026 after President Donald Trump signed Executive Order 14404 on May 1, broadening the scope of U.S. secondary sanctions.
Critical Medical Supplies Stuck in Jamaica
At Kingston port in Jamaica, five containers remain detained, holding supplies vital for the nephrology program—arteriovenous lines, fistula needles, and dialyzers—which arrived on June 14 and 16.
According to the state-run outlet Adelante, these materials are "indispensable" for ensuring the hemodialysis of over 3,000 patients nationwide.
Additionally, three more containers with blood bags are also stuck in Kingston.
Anticonvulsant Medications Held in Colombia
In Cartagena de Indias, Colombia, Hapag-Lloyd has blocked two containers carrying 500 mg tablets of Sodium Valproate, an anticonvulsant medication used for epilepsy treatment.
MediCuba emphasized that "the lack of this essential drug poses a direct threat to public health, as epilepsy requires continuous treatment to prevent seizures and patient deterioration."
Political and Economic Implications
In a Facebook post, the state company stated that CMA CGM and Hapag-Lloyd "have halted the shipment of containers to Cuba" and strongly condemned "the detention and non-shipment of nine containers with essential resources, whose absence severely impacts the National Health System."
The Cuban government frames this issue within the larger context of the U.S. embargo and demands the immediate release of the containers, while failing to address how its own business structures—including the military conglomerate GAESA, designated by the State Department on May 7—create sanction risks prompting shipping lines to suspend their operations.
The shipping companies issued a suspension notice on May 14, 2026, confirmed by Reuters days later, citing "compliance concerns" in light of the new sanctions.
This is not the first instance of medical supply containers being stranded for this reason: a hospital in Santiago de Cuba reported on July 15 that over 3.5 million syringes and needles sent by the Spanish organization SODePAZ are similarly detained in Kingston.
The reduction in maritime transport to Cuba following the shipping lines' departure has also increased the costs of imported goods, according to reports from late June, exacerbating a long-standing medication shortage crisis on the island.
Understanding the Impact of Sanctions on Cuban Healthcare
How do U.S. sanctions affect Cuba's healthcare system?
U.S. sanctions restrict Cuba's ability to import essential medical supplies and medications, leading to shortages and delays that severely impact patient care.
Why are shipping lines stopping operations to Cuba?
Shipping lines have halted operations due to "compliance concerns" related to new U.S. sanctions that increase the risk of penalties for companies engaging with Cuba.
What are the consequences of detained medical supplies in ports?
The detention of medical supplies in ports results in critical shortages, impacting the treatment of conditions like epilepsy and affecting thousands of patients dependent on these resources.