On Saturday, Miguel Díaz-Canel expressed gratitude on social media platform X to Colombian President Gustavo Petro and the Colombian people for sending humanitarian aid to Cuba. This gesture ignited a wave of outrage among Cubans and Latin Americans on social media, who harshly criticized the regime.
"A heartfelt thanks to President @petrogustavo and the Colombian people for sending aid to the noble Cuban people. This solidarity reaches us during challenging times, caused by the criminal blockade policy of the U.S. government. Brotherhood cannot be blocked," Díaz-Canel wrote, accompanying his message with an image of the ship near the Morro Castle in Havana.
The Colombian Navy vessel arrived in Havana last Friday from Cartagena de Indias, carrying approximately 100 tons of humanitarian aid, including non-perishable food, medications, hospital supplies, electrical materials, and solar panels.
More than seven additional tons of aid were contributed by solidarity organizations and Cubans residing in Colombia, coordinated by the South American country's Presidential Agency for Cooperation.
History of Aid from Colombia
This is not the first shipment: Colombia has sent aid to Cuba multiple times since November 2025, when it dispatched 240 tons following Hurricane Melissa. In April 2026, an aircraft delivered medicine and food, followed by an order in May from Petro to send surplus Colombian rice to the island.
Public Backlash
However, Díaz-Canel's public appreciation sparked widespread criticism. An individual using the handle "Elendil El Alto Rey de Arnor y Gondor" captured the frustration many felt with his viral comment: "Because of you, Cuba is no longer a country; it's a donation-dependent NGO."
Argenis Jesús Perozo was even more blunt, targeting both leaders: "Both are thieves. Pure parasites. After robbing us Venezuelans for 20 years, now they rob Colombians. Useless scum."
Andrea Mantilla (@amantilla8a) also reacted sharply: "Shameless! Because of that corrupt dictatorship, where politicians eat well and live lavishly without caring about their people's miserable lives; they should be ashamed."
Dire Statistics and Distribution Issues
The outrage is underscored by grim statistics. According to the "Hunger in Cuba 2025" survey by the Food Monitor Program and Cuido60, 33.9% of Cuban households had at least one member go to bed hungry in 2025, and 94.9% lost access to purchasing food in the past year.
The Cuban Minister of Food Industry admitted this month that they have been unable to provide oil, chicken, or yogurt through the rationed basket this year.
The situation worsens due to the regime's failure to distribute what it receives: in April, the UN reported that approximately 170 containers with humanitarian supplies valued at $6.3 million were already in Cuba but could not reach the population due to a lack of fuel for distribution.
While the regime blames the U.S. embargo for the crisis, critics argue that 67 years of communist dictatorship have devastated the nation's productive capacity. Today, Cuba imports roughly 80% of its consumption, with agricultural production having reportedly declined by 67% over five years.
Frequently Asked Questions about Cuba's Humanitarian Crisis
What was included in the Colombian humanitarian aid to Cuba?
The Colombian aid shipment included around 100 tons of non-perishable food, medications, hospital supplies, electrical materials, and solar panels.
Why are Cubans and Latin Americans outraged by Díaz-Canel's gratitude?
Many were outraged because they feel that the Cuban regime has become overly dependent on foreign aid, neglecting its own responsibilities to address the country's needs, and turning Cuba into a country that relies on donations.
What are the consequences of the Cuban regime's mismanagement?
The mismanagement has led to severe food shortages, with 33.9% of Cuban households experiencing hunger and 94.9% losing access to food purchases last year. Additionally, there is a backlog of humanitarian supplies due to distribution failures.