The Spanish NGO Open Arms has dispatched its sailing vessel, the Astral, which is set to dock in Havana this Friday after a journey of more than two months starting from Barcelona.
This initiative represents another wave of support for the Cuban regime. According to the media outlet Naiz, this flotilla is transporting over seven tons of donations, which include medications, essential supplies, and photovoltaic solar panels.
Inspiration from Previous Missions
This mission is part of the broader "Rumbo a Cuba" platform and was officially announced on March 19, 2026, in front of the Congress of Deputies in Madrid. It draws inspiration from the awareness-raising tactics used by a previous flotilla to Gaza.
The Cuban news source Cubadebate briefly mentioned the flotilla's arrival without providing specifics, stating only that the donations aim to "support the population" amid the country's ongoing economic crisis.
A Long Voyage with a Purpose
The Astral embarked from Barcelona on May 11, making stops in València, Málaga, Cádiz, and Las Palmas de Gran Canaria before crossing the Atlantic and the Caribbean Sea. Accompanying the journey is Óscar Camps, director of Open Arms, who remarked during the Canary Islands stopover that "blockades are meant to be broken, and it's the civil society that breaks them."
A significant portion of the aid consists of solar power equipment intended for the intensive care unit at Havana's Juan Manuel Márquez Pediatric Hospital, where they will be installed to ensure a reliable electricity supply in one of the hospital's most critical areas.
Political Delegation and Support
Alongside the Astral, a political delegation is traveling to Cuba by air. This group includes notable figures such as Ana Miranda Paz from the Galician Nationalist Bloc within the Greens–European Free Alliance and Miguel Urbán, leader of Anticapitalists and co-founder of Podemos.
Miranda Paz highlighted the mission as "the first civil vessel crossing the Atlantic to reach Cuba," expressing disappointment over the limited media coverage. "We want to show our solidarity with the Cuban people during their ongoing blockade, which severely affects their health and food security," she stated.
While in Havana, the delegation plans to meet with President Miguel Díaz-Canel, officials from the National Assembly, and singer-songwriter Silvio Rodríguez. They also intend to visit the Centro Gallego de La Habana and the García Lorca Theater.
Backing from Political and Social Organizations
The mission is supported by various Spanish political groups such as EH Bildu, Sumar, Podemos, Esquerra Republicana, Catalunya en Comú, Compromís, and the BNG, along with social organizations like Ecologistas en Acción. A fundraising campaign collected 63,609 euros towards a goal of 100,000 euros, with contributions from 1,031 donors.
This flotilla arrives amid an unprecedented energy crisis in Cuba, marked by five nationwide blackouts so far in 2026 and power cuts lasting up to 20 hours daily in Havana.
Earlier in March 2026, the "Nuestra América" flotilla, organized by global left-wing movements and featuring figures like Jeremy Corbyn, delivered approximately 50 tons of aid to Cuba, a significantly larger operation than the Astral's mission.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Open Arms Humanitarian Mission to Cuba
What is the purpose of the Open Arms flotilla to Cuba?
The flotilla aims to deliver over seven tons of humanitarian aid, including medicines, essential supplies, and solar panels, to support the Cuban population amid a severe economic crisis.
Who is involved in the Open Arms mission?
The mission includes the Spanish NGO Open Arms, its director Óscar Camps, a political delegation with figures such as Ana Miranda Paz and Miguel Urbán, and support from various political and social organizations.
How does this mission compare to previous humanitarian efforts in Cuba?
This mission is part of ongoing efforts to provide aid to Cuba, following the larger "Nuestra América" flotilla in March 2026, which delivered 50 tons of aid as part of a global left-wing movement initiative.