On Thursday, the Chilean government declared its intention to deliver humanitarian aid to Cuba, as the island grapples with a severe energy crisis exacerbated by U.S. sanctions on countries supplying it with oil.
As reported by EFE from Santiago, Foreign Minister Alberto van Klaveren revealed in a press conference that Chile is committed to offering humanitarian assistance to the Cuban populace through the Chile Fund Against Hunger and Poverty.
The minister described the situation in Cuba as a “humanitarian tragedy” and stated that further details on the financial contribution would be disclosed shortly. The aid is to be distributed via multilateral organizations and United Nations programs.
Van Klaveren mentioned that this special fund has been utilized in other severe crises, including the conflict in Ukraine, the situation in Gaza, and the aftermath of hurricanes in the Caribbean. He also noted that Cuba had previously received minor humanitarian support following a hurricane last year.
Chile's decision comes amid intensified pressure from Washington on Havana, following a presidential order on January 29 imposing tariffs on those supplying fuel to Cuba, worsening power outages and fuel shortages on the island.
In response to opposition criticism, Interior Minister Álvaro Elizalde defended the initiative. According to BioBioChile, the official asserted that the aid is driven by humanitarian conviction rather than political pressure or calculations, given the challenging conditions faced by Cuban families.
Elizalde emphasized that the assistance is directed at the Cuban people, not its government, and will be managed by UN agencies to ensure proper use of resources.
Echoing this stance, government spokesperson Camila Vallejo stated that the aid is purely humanitarian and does not signify political support for the Cuban regime.
In statements reported by ADN Radio, Vallejo stressed, “Humanitarian aid is not political support,” highlighting the focus on urgent needs in food and healthcare. She also recalled Cuba’s gesture of solidarity in sending medical brigades following Chile’s 2010 earthquake.
By taking this step, Chile joins Mexico, which also announced additional aid shipments to the island on Thursday.
Impact of Humanitarian Aid on Cuba's Energy Crisis
What prompted Chile to send aid to Cuba?
Chile decided to send aid to Cuba due to the severe energy crisis on the island, worsened by U.S. sanctions on oil suppliers to Cuba. The aid comes from a humanitarian standpoint to alleviate the suffering of the Cuban people.
How will the aid from Chile be administered?
The aid will be administered by United Nations agencies to ensure it reaches the Cuban people effectively and is used appropriately for addressing urgent food and healthcare needs.
Does Chile's aid imply political support for Cuba?
No, the Chilean government has emphasized that the aid is solely humanitarian and does not constitute political support for the Cuban regime. The focus is on alleviating the immediate needs of the Cuban populace.