Canada has pledged $8 million Canadian (US$6.7 million) in food aid to Cuba, as the Caribbean nation grapples with a severe fuel crisis exacerbated by a slowdown in oil shipments following US threats of tariffs. The humanitarian assistance comes amidst growing concerns over basic necessities on the island, which has faced significant and prolonged economic hardship.
Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand confirmed the aid, explicitly stating Canada's intentions were not discussed with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio or any other US officials.
"This is Canadian foreign policy," she said. "We are focused on the humanitarian situation." The funding, specifically aimed at alleviating the immediate food shortages, will be channeled through established United Nations agencies, thereby bypassing direct distribution by the Cuban government.
Global Affairs Canada has for more than a year issued stark warnings to travellers regarding "shortages of basic necessities, including food, medicine and fuel," across most of Cuba. The island's energy crisis has become increasingly dire, significantly worsening in recent weeks.
This escalation follows the halting of crucial oil shipments from Venezuela, Cuba's main oil supplier, after the US attacked the South American country in early January and arrested its then-leader. Subsequently, Mexico, another significant supplier, also suspended its oil shipments, reportedly under considerable US pressure.
The severe scarcity of aviation fuel has already led to Air Canada and other international airlines cancelling flights to the Caribbean island, significantly impacting a sector crucial to Cuba's struggling economy. Canadian tourism is vital to the island's financial health; Global Affairs Canada, a governmental office, has previously highlighted Canada as Cuba’s second-largest source of direct investment, particularly within the mining and tourism sectors.
In a separate move, Mexico has dispatched a second significant humanitarian aid package for Cuba. Two Mexican navy vessels, the Papaloapan and the Huasteco, departed the Gulf of Mexico port of Veracruz on Tuesday, carrying a combined 1,193 tons of vital supplies. The Papaloapan is transporting 1,078 tons of beans and powdered milk, while the Huasteco carries 92 tons of beans and 23 tons of other food items. According to the Mexican Foreign Ministry, the final 23 tons of humanitarian aid were provided by various social organisations with the support of the Mexico City government. This latest shipment is expected to arrive on Saturday, building on a previous February delivery when Mexico dispatched more than 814 tons of essential food and hygiene products to Cuba. That earlier aid came while diplomatic talks continued regarding the resumption of much-needed oil supplies, which were halted in mid-January, just before U.S. President Donald Trump announced a significant tightening of the economic embargo on Havana.
The broader economic crisis gripping Cuba since 2020 has been severely compounded by intensified US sanctions, explicitly aimed at forcing a change in the island’s political model. These sustained pressures have resulted in critical goods shortages and severe blackouts that peaked in early 2026. Given that Cuba produces only 40% of its required fuel, it remains highly vulnerable to external blockades. While strong allies like Russia and China have condemned the US measures, their practical support has remained largely symbolic.
