On Tuesday, Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum revealed plans for another shipment of humanitarian aid to Cuba. She confirmed during her morning press briefing that two ships from the Secretariat of the Navy will set sail for Venezuela in the coming weeks.
Sheinbaum disclosed that she had discussions on Tuesday with Lázaro Cárdenas Batel, head of the Office of the Presidency, and the Secretariat of the Navy to organize the new aid delivery to the island.
"We are committed to continuing our support for the people of Cuba," Sheinbaum stated. "Just yesterday, I spoke with Lázaro and the Secretariat of the Navy to facilitate this new shipment to the island."
She emphasized that the policy of solidarity with Cuba is ongoing: "We will keep sending aid to Cuba. There’s significant collaboration with Cuba through Amexida."
She also mentioned the principle of sovereignty as a foundation for her stance: "The sovereignty of nations and the support we can continue to offer to the people of Cuba."
The president did not provide further details regarding the contents of the upcoming aid package to the island.
Additional Support for Venezuela
Alongside the announcement about Cuba, Sheinbaum confirmed another shipment headed for Venezuela, where the June 24, 2026, earthquakes resulted in a severe humanitarian crisis.
“Two ships from the Secretariat of the Navy will be sent to Venezuela in the coming weeks,” Sheinbaum specified.
Back in July, Mexico dispatched the ARM Isla Holbox and ARM Huasteco vessels, which arrived at La Guaira port on July 13 carrying between 341 and 388 tons of aid for areas affected by the quakes.
A Consistent Policy Since February
This announcement is part of a series of aid shipments that Mexico started in February 2026, when the ARM Papaloapan and ARM Huasteco ships reached Havana with 1,193 tons of food supplies.
Since then, Mexico has sent over 4,800 tons of humanitarian aid to Cuba, including food, medicine, hygiene products, and solar panels.
The most recent documented shipment before this announcement was the Asian Katra vessel, which docked in Havana on June 7 with 1,700 tons of food and supplies from Mexico and Belize.
The Crisis Driving the Aid
Mexican aid is a response to an escalating energy crisis in Cuba.
On July 8, a historic 2,341 MW deficit in the national electrical system was recorded, and on July 24, a similar shortfall of 2,315 MW occurred, causing power outages of up to 24 hours daily across the country.
The situation worsened after Pemex halted oil shipments to Cuba on January 27, 2026, following the Trump administration's Executive Order 14380, which placed secondary sanctions on countries supplying oil to the island.
Sheinbaum has ruled out resuming these oil shipments: "They are receiving oil from Russia, so we are focusing on other forms of humanitarian support."
Controversy Surrounding the Aid's Destination
Mexico's humanitarian policy toward Cuba has faced scrutiny.
In March, a TV Azteca report alleged that Mexican-donated goods were found for sale in Cuban state-run stores in foreign currency, priced as high as $43 for a 30 kg sack of beans; the Cuban regime denied these allegations.
The Catholic Church and Caritas have also reported that fuel shortages are preventing aid from reaching the interior of the country, limiting the real impact of these shipments on the most vulnerable populations.
The announcement came two days after a solidarity march for Cuba held in Mexico City on July 26, commemorating the 73rd anniversary of the Moncada Barracks assault, which gathered around 1,200 people.
FAQs on Mexico's Humanitarian Aid to Cuba
Why is Mexico sending humanitarian aid to Cuba?
Mexico is providing humanitarian aid to Cuba in response to the ongoing energy crisis that has caused severe power outages across the country.
What challenges has Mexico faced regarding this aid?
Mexico's aid efforts have been criticized due to reports of donated goods being sold in Cuban stores and logistical issues preventing aid from reaching rural areas.
What is the significance of the recent solidarity march in Mexico City?
The solidarity march commemorated the 73rd anniversary of the Moncada Barracks assault and demonstrated support for Cuba, coinciding with the announcement of further aid.