Canada Announces Aid Package for Cuba as Fuel Crisis Deepens
Canada has declared it is developing an aid package for Cuba, which is grappling with severe blackouts and fuel shortages intensified by a U.S. oil embargo. Foreign Minister Anita Anand confirmed the initiative on Monday, stating, "We are preparing a plan to assist. We are not prepared at this point to provide any details of the announcement." This move comes as Cuba faces an escalating energy crisis, worsened in recent weeks after oil shipments from Venezuela, its primary supplier, were halted following a U.S. attack on Venezuela in early January and the arrest of its leader.
Impact of US Pressure on Cuba's Energy Supplies
The crisis has been compounded by Mexico, another key supplier, suspending oil shipments under U.S. pressure. This has led to critical shortages, prompting airlines like Air Canada to cancel flights to the Caribbean island due to a lack of aviation fuel. Canada's role is significant, as Canadian tourism is vital to Cuba's economy, and Global Affairs Canada notes that Canada is Cuba's second-largest source of direct investment, particularly in mining and tourism sectors.
International Response and Humanitarian Efforts
Canada will join Mexico in providing aid, following Mexico's recent delivery of humanitarian supplies via two Navy ships that docked in Cuba earlier this month. These ships carried approximately 800 tons of goods, plus an additional 1,500 tons of powdered milk and beans. This aid comes two weeks after U.S. President Donald Trump threatened tariffs on countries selling oil to Cuba, deepening the island's economic and energy woes. The economic crisis, ongoing since 2020, has been exacerbated by intensified U.S. sanctions aimed at altering Cuba's political model, leading to peak shortages and blackouts in early 2026.
Cuba's Vulnerability and Global Reactions
Cuba produces only 40% of its required fuel, making it highly susceptible to external blockades. While allies such as Russia and China have condemned U.S. measures, their support has remained largely symbolic so far. The aid package from Canada underscores the international concern over the humanitarian impact of the crisis, as Cuba struggles with sustained energy deficits and economic instability.
