U.S. Pledges Additional $6 Million in Aid to Cuba Amid Escalating Sanctions

U.S. State Department Announces New Humanitarian Package

The U.S. State Department announced on Thursday, February 5, 2026, an additional $6 million in humanitarian assistance for Cuba. This latest commitment brings the total U.S. aid to the island nation to $9 million since Hurricane Melissa struck in October. The announcement was made by Jeremy P. Lewin, Acting Under Secretary of State for Foreign Assistance, Humanitarian Affairs, and Religious Freedom.

Aid Distribution and Purpose

The humanitarian assistance is intended to address the severe food and energy shortages plaguing Cuba, as well as the ongoing humanitarian crisis exacerbated by Hurricane Melissa. The aid package includes essential items such as food, hygiene kits, and solar lamps capable of charging phones. Crucially, the U.S. government has specified that this assistance will be delivered directly to the Cuban population through the Catholic Church and other charitable organizations, including Caritas and Catholic Relief Services. This distribution method is designed to bypass the Cuban government and ensure the aid reaches those in need without interference.

Cuban Officials Decry 'Hypocritical' Measures

The announcement has been met with strong criticism from Cuban officials. Carlos Fernandez de Cossio, Cuba's Deputy Foreign Minister, described the U.S. move as 'two-faced' and 'quite hypocritical.' He argued that the U.S. is simultaneously applying 'draconian coercive measures' that deny basic economic conditions to millions, while offering limited humanitarian aid. Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel also accused the U.S. of using its economic and military power to 'strangle' the communist regime.

Increased U.S. Pressure and Sanctions

The humanitarian aid comes amidst a period of significantly increased U.S. pressure and sanctions on Cuba. These measures include:

• Efforts to block oil supplies to Cuba, leading to crippling shortages.
• A declaration by U.S. President Donald Trump that Cuba will no longer receive oil from Venezuela following a U.S. operation to capture Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro.
• Threats to impose tariffs on other countries, such as Mexico, if they continue to ship fuel to Cuba.
• A 'national emergency' declaration by President Trump on January 30, establishing a new tariff system to target countries providing oil to Cuba.

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio has further accused Cuba of sponsoring terrorism and serving as a staging ground for foreign adversaries. The U.S. maintains that Cuba's humanitarian crisis is largely due to the Cuban government's failure to provide basic necessities, while Cuba continues to blame the long-standing U.S. Cold War-era embargo for its economic woes.