Mexico dispatched navy ships to carry aid to Cuba

Mexico’s Foreign Ministry said two navy ships carrying 1,193 tons of aid left Veracruz port on February 24 heading to Cuba. It is expected that this aid will arrive on February 28.

The Papaloapan ship carried 1,078 tons of beans and milk powder, while the Huasteco ship transported 92 tons of beans and 23 tons of other food items. According to the Mexican Ministry of Foreign Affairs, 23 tons of humanitarian aid were provided by many social organizations with the support of the Mexico City government.

This is the second humanitarian aid package this year that Mexico gives to Cuba.

Cuban Ambassador to Mexico Eugenio Martinez also announced the aid shipment. “We would like to reaffirm our sincere appreciation for the solidarity and support for our people,” said Mr. Martinez.

Previously, Mexico also sent about 814 tons of food and basic necessities to Havana on February 12. Mexico’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced that the country continues to maintain its tradition of solidarity with the peoples of Latin America, especially with the Cuban people.

“Our country always supports our brother countries in difficulty,” Mexico’s Foreign Ministry said in a statement.

Since January, the US has blocked most of the oil supply from Venezuela and Mexico to Cuba, causing the island nation to fall into a serious energy shortage, leading to prolonged power cuts and skyrocketing food and transportation prices.

On February 25, the US Treasury Department said it would license companies that want to resell Venezuelan oil to Cuba, with the condition that these transactions “must support the Cuban people, including the private sector”, while transactions involving or benefiting Cuba’s military or government agencies will not be allowed.