Uruguay's Minister of Livestock, Agriculture and Fisheries, Alfredo Fratti, declared on Tuesday that Yamandú Orsi's government will dispatch canned beef to Cuba via airplane. This effort is part of a humanitarian aid initiative that began recently with the shipment of 15 tons of powdered milk.
According to local sources such as Subrayado, this forthcoming shipment complements the cargo that arrived in Havana yesterday aboard a vessel from Mexico, which also carried assistance from the Uruguayan government.
Humanitarian Aid Arrives During Severe Crisis
This support lands at a critical juncture. Cuba is grappling with one of its most severe crises in decades, marked by power outages exceeding 19 hours daily in Havana, an electricity deficit surpassing 2,000 megawatts during peak hours, and widespread shortages of food and medicine.
The Food Monitor Program reports that 80% of those surveyed experienced power cuts that hindered their cooking abilities, and one in three Cuban households reported that at least one family member went to bed hungry in the past month.
Cuban Leadership's Response and Controversy
Cuban leader Miguel Díaz-Canel expressed gratitude for the shipment yesterday on his social media account. "On behalf of the Cuban people, we extend our deepest thanks for the new solidarity aid from Mexico and Uruguay, two nations to which we feel a deep affection," he stated.
Díaz-Canel used the message to blame the U.S. embargo for the crisis. "This donation, arriving during very challenging days for Cuba due to the direct and multifaceted impact of the United States blockade on our people's daily lives, is a living testament to the historic solidarity between our peoples," he added.
Nonetheless, the Cuban crisis is largely the result of decades of failed governance by the regime, which has led to the collapse of the electric grid, agricultural production, and basic supplies for the population.
Controversy Surrounding Aid Distribution
The airlift of canned beef is not without controversy. Uruguay previously sent an initial batch of 20 tons of powdered milk in March followed by 17 tons in May. There were allegations that 25 kg bags of Conaprole powdered milk were being sold in state-run Cuban stores controlled by the military conglomerate GAESA at $243 per bag, a price unaffordable for most Cubans.
In response to these allegations, Uruguayan Foreign Minister Mario Lubetkin announced that the government will demand evidence of the final destination of their donations, clarifying that the aid symbolizes Uruguay's solidarity, not with a specific country or regime.
Cuban-Uruguayan legislator Leydis Aguilera was among those who publicly denounced the resale of donated products in stores requiring foreign currency, beyond the reach of ordinary citizens.
Mexico's Role in Regional Aid
Under the leadership of Claudia Sheinbaum, Mexico has spearheaded the regional response, sending over 3,125 tons of humanitarian aid to Cuba in at least six maritime shipments since February 2026, including food, medicines, hygiene products, and solar panels.
The World Food Program reports that 36% of Cubans face food insecurity, with critical levels in five provinces: Havana, Matanzas, Cienfuegos, Guantánamo, and Santiago de Cuba.
Frequently Asked Questions About Uruguay's Aid to Cuba
What is Uruguay sending to Cuba as humanitarian aid?
Uruguay is sending canned beef and has previously sent powdered milk as part of its humanitarian aid efforts to assist Cuba during its crisis.
Why is Cuba experiencing such a severe crisis?
Cuba is facing a severe crisis due to a combination of factors including longstanding government mismanagement, leading to failures in the electrical grid, agricultural production, and basic supply distribution. The U.S. embargo is also cited by Cuban leadership as a contributing factor.