The Canary Islands government admitted on Wednesday that it has been unable to send food and medicine to Cuba for more than a month. This situation particularly affects the elderly, the sick, and vulnerable families within the large Canary Islander community and their descendants on the island.
José Luis Perestelo, the Deputy Minister of External Action, explained to a committee of the Canary Islands Parliament that there is currently no effective way to acquire and deliver these essential products to Havana.
"Right now, we cannot send even a single container of food or medicine as we have in previous months because there is a complete blockade," Perestelo stated, according to Atlántico Hoy.
As an emergency measure, the Canary Islands government managed to channel small aid amounts of up to 200 euros to those in need through a Cuban bank. However, Perestelo noted that the financial institution later refused to process further transfers.
Challenges in Supporting the Canary Islander Community in Cuba
Canary Islands authorities are continuing negotiations through the Spanish Embassy and the Consulate General, alongside other efforts via the General Directorate of Migration. Despite these efforts, Perestelo acknowledged the situation remains "very complicated."
The difficulties have also affected the support and community structures built over years around the Canary Islander community in Cuba. According to Perestelo, services such as a medical clinic, a senior day center, and the cultural group Renacer have been lost.
The weakening of some associations due to a lack of generational succession has compounded the issue. "Once the leaders who drove these initiatives are no longer there, the connections fade, making it increasingly challenging," he lamented.
Historical and Humanitarian Ties Under Strain
During his address, José Manuel Bermúdez, a deputy from the Canary Coalition, highlighted that around 70,000 Canary Islanders and their descendants reside in Cuba. He emphasized the plight of the elderly, those requiring ongoing medical treatment, children, and low-income families.
"The citizens are not to blame for the political regime they live under, nor are they responsible for their current situation or geopolitical issues," Bermúdez stated.
The interruption poses a setback to cooperation efforts that had gained importance as living conditions on the island deteriorated. Over the past two years, the Canary Islands allocated 1.2 million euros to cooperation funds in Cuba for sending food and medicine.
Financial and Regulatory Challenges
In May, the Canary Islands and Spanish governments were coordinating to expand assistance for approximately 70,000 Canary Islanders and descendants. Due to difficulties faced by several Spanish financial entities in operating with Cuba, prepaid cards were also set up to facilitate some of the aid.
The Canary Islands' cooperation has also enabled food deliveries to social assistance programs. Past shipments included 48 tons of frozen chicken and 5.5 tons of canned chicken intended for the Family Care System in Villa Clara.
These challenges coincide with a recent tightening of U.S. financial regulations related to Cuba, although Perestelo did not directly attribute the halt in Canary shipments to these measures. Since September 30, banks under U.S. jurisdiction can no longer process certain transactions known as "U-Turn," but the new regulations still explicitly permit family remittances and humanitarian shipments of food, medicine, and medical devices.
The suspension of shipments comes amid a severe healthcare crisis. On Wednesday, Cuban leader Miguel Díaz-Canel acknowledged during his radio program Criterio Compartido on Radio Rebelde, the significant shortage of medications in Cuba. In August, he had already stated that only 30% of essential medications were available, indicating that seven out of ten essential drugs are missing from the state system.
Bermúdez urged that the historical connection between the Canary Islands and Cuba compels the archipelago to maintain its "solidarity vocation" and stressed that political, financial, and logistical difficulties should not further exacerbate the situation for the most vulnerable families.
Understanding the Crisis in Cuban Aid from Canary Islands
Why has the Canary Islands government been unable to send aid to Cuba?
The Canary Islands government faces a complete blockade, preventing the delivery of food and medicine to Cuba. This blockade has disrupted traditional routes and methods of sending aid to the island.
What emergency measures have been taken to assist those in need in Cuba?
To address the crisis, the Canary Islands government arranged for small financial aids of up to 200 euros to be sent through a Cuban bank, although further transfers have since been blocked by the bank.
How has the aid suspension impacted the Canary Islander community in Cuba?
The suspension has severely affected community support structures, leading to the loss of essential services such as a medical clinic and a senior day center, as well as weakening cultural associations due to generational changes.