A plane from the Brazilian Air Force touched down on Tuesday at Santiago de Cuba's Antonio Maceo Grajales International Airport, delivering the initial batch of powdered milk donated by the government of Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva.
This donation totals 48 tons, split into two military flights heading to Santiago de Cuba.
The first aircraft carried 16 tons and took off on Monday from the Canoas Air Base in Rio Grande do Sul. The second flight, carrying the remaining 32 tons, departed early this morning from Porto Alegre International Airport.
This operation was recently approved during a meeting led by Lula, which included the Ministers of Defense, Foreign Affairs, Agrarian Development, and Casa Civil, along with the commander of the Air Force and the president of the National Supply Company (Conab), which supplies the food.
The Brazilian Cooperation Agency is overseeing the coordination of this initiative.
A statement from the Brazilian presidency indicated that "additional donations of food and medicine are under consideration by the Brazilian government."
This shipment is part of a larger humanitarian aid effort announced by Brazil on March 19, which included 170,000 tons of rice, 150 tons of black beans, and 500 tons of powdered milk distributed via the World Food Program.
In May, Lula's administration also sent medications to treat a thousand patients on the island.
However, the aid has not been without controversy. In March, allegations surfaced that products donated by Brazil, Mexico, and Chile were being diverted and sold in dollar stores run by the military conglomerate GAESA, accusations that the Cuban regime has denied.
Despite this humanitarian gesture, Cuba continues to owe Brazil $676 million, primarily due to loans for the construction of the Mariel Port. A law passed in 2026 prevents new credit operations with defaulting nations, which would exclude Cuba from future Brazilian credit opportunities.
Key Questions About Brazil's Aid to Cuba
What is the total amount of powdered milk donated by Brazil to Cuba?
Brazil donated a total of 48 tons of powdered milk to Cuba, delivered in two separate flights.
Why is Cuba ineligible for future Brazilian credits?
Cuba is ineligible due to an outstanding debt of $676 million with Brazil, along with a law enacted in 2026 that bars new credit operations with countries that are in default.
What other humanitarian aid has Brazil provided to Cuba recently?
Apart from the powdered milk, Brazil has provided 170,000 tons of rice, 150 tons of black beans, and 500 tons of powdered milk, as well as medications to treat a thousand patients in Cuba.