The Cuban Government reiterated this Wednesday that it accepts the humanitarian aid sent by the US after the passage of Hurricane Melissa, although he denounced that Washington has tried to use it for “opportunistic and political manipulation” purposes.
According to the Cuban Foreign Ministry, Aid begins to arrive on the island 77 days after the disaster and without prior official communication between both governments.
In a statement of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Minrex), Havana pointed out that, although the US Administration proclaimed since October its intention to send assistance, it was not until January 14 that the State Department publicly announced that a portion would arrive to the island.
According to the Foreign Ministry, it was the Cuban Catholic Church that informed the authorities that the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops would serve as a channel for deliver material assistance financed by the US Government.
“The US government is taking advantage of what would seem to be a humanitarian gesture for opportunistic and political manipulation purposes,” Minrex stated.
The US begins sending $3 million in aid to victims of Hurricane Melissa
Cuba is not opposed, as long as it benefits the people
The Foreign Ministry stressed that Cuba is not opposed to receiving international aid, as long as it benefits the people and the needs of the victims should not be used “for political gain under the guise of a humanitarian gesture.”
The official note specified that any contribution arriving in the country “is received, organized and channeled through the competent government authorities, with the participation of organizations with experience, such as the Catholic Church and other entities with experience in this type of processes.”
Cuba accepted the donation “without conditions” and stressed that it considers it a gesture of the American peoplewho is the one who supports the public funds used by his Government with his taxes.
However, the Minrex clarified that this aid represents only a fraction of the effort made by the Cuban people and Government, as well as the solidarity assistance received from various parts of the world, including US organizations not linked to its Government.
There have been several countries, non-governmental organizations and individuals that have immediately sent aid to the island for those affected by Hurricane Melissa.
“The State Department may continue to lie about Cuba, but it will not be able to alter the facts,” the statement concludes.
This is how international cooperation with Cuba has been mobilized after Hurricane Melissa
Washington’s announcement
The US State Department reported this Wednesday on the start of a series of direct humanitarian shipments to Cuba, as part of the 3 million dollars in assistance for disasters committed after the passage of the Hurricane Melissa in October 2025.
According to the communication from the Secretary of State, Marco Rubio, a first humanitarian flight from Florida transported supplies to Holguínand will be followed by a second flight on January 16 to Santiago de Cuba.
Additionally, additional shipments are planned via a commercial vessel that will dock in Santiago in the coming weeks.
“These shipments reflect our ongoing commitment to the Cuban people as they continue to recover from the devastation,” said Rubio, who has historically supported US sanctions against Cuba.
Rubio acknowledged that, although the storm has passed, “humanitarian needs remain pressing.”
What does the help include?
The first delivery consisted of 528 food kits and 660 hygiene kits. In total, the assistance includes rice, beans, oil or sugar, water purification equipment, kitchen utensils, blankets and solar lanterns.
According to estimates from the State Department itself, around 6,000 families (about 24 thousand people) in the provinces of Santiago de Cuba, Holguín, Granma and Guantánamo could benefit from these shipments.
The US is sending the first humanitarian shipment to Cuba to help people in need as they continue to recover from Hurricane Melissa. We are working with the Catholic Church and partners to ensure aid reaches the Cuban people directly—not the illegitimate regime. The Trump…
—Secretary Marco Rubio (@SecRubio) January 14, 2026
The distribution will be carried out in coordination with the Catholic Church in Cuba and Cáritas Cuba, an organization that has operated on the island since 1991 and has a network of more than 600 parish and community Cáritas.
According to Cáritas, the Initial distribution will focus on communities in Holguín, such as Cacocum and surrounding areas seriously affected by the hurricane, and will be done free of charge and directly, under principles of dignity, transparency and protection of the beneficiaries.
The Conference of Catholic Bishops of Cuba had reported since the beginning of November that the “necessary steps” were being taken to channel this aid.
