By Susana Anton Rodriguez on May 19, 2026
foto: Ismael Batista Ramirez
A new shipment of aid sent by Mexico, in conjunction with Uruguay, arrived in Cuba this Monday amid the economic difficulties the country is facing due to the tightening of the economic, commercial and financial blockade imposed by the United States.
The First Secretary of the Central Committee of the Party and President of the Republic, Miguel Díaz-Canel Bermúdez, expressed his gratitude, via his social media account, for the gesture of solidarity, “in very difficult times for Cuba due to the direct and multidimensional impact of the United States blockade on the daily lives of our people.”
The president asserted that the donation is a living testament to the historic solidarity between our peoples and to the principles of humanism, cooperation, and integration that should unite the region.
“Our sincerest appreciation to the President of Mexico, Claudia Sheinbaum, for her leadership and firm commitment, as well as to the government of Uruguay for joining this initiative,” added Díaz-Canel.
He emphasized that, in difficult times, gestures like this remind us that Cuba is not alone and that solidarity transcends any border.
In statements to the press, the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Trade and Foreign Investment, Oscar Pérez-Oliva Fraga, emphasized that this aid will be distributed directly to those who need it most, particularly children, the elderly, and vulnerable population groups in our country.
He added that it is a sign that the Latin American peoples, led by Mexico, with the presence also of Uruguay, reaffirm their solidarity with our country and people in difficult times.
Similarly, the executive director of the Mexican Agency for International Cooperation for Development, Alejandra del Moral, indicated that the President of Mexico instructed that aid to Cuba be maintained and strengthened.
He explained that the shipment includes rice, beans, and milk, among other essential products, and assured that Mexico will continue sending support to the Cuban people.
Del Moral also highlighted that the aid received comes not only from the Mexican government, but also from unions, social organizations, civil associations, and other countries in the region that have joined in the solidarity efforts.
On this occasion, Uruguay also added donations to the shipment, as part of the coordinated cooperation to facilitate the transfer of aid to Cuba.
In that regard, the Uruguayan ambassador in Havana, Juan Andrés Canessa Franco, highlighted that the shipment consists of powdered milk within the framework of the Cooperation agreement and the Fund created in 2023.
For his part, the Mexican ambassador on the island, Miguel Díaz Reynoso stated that this ship represents the continuation of the commitment assumed by the Mexican government to stand in solidarity with the Cuban people.
He emphasized that the aid responds to the principles of self-determination and international cooperation defended by Mexico, and with this new shipment, the donations transferred from Mexico now exceed 6,000 tons of aid.
Similarly, Alberto López Díaz, Minister of the Food Industry, expressed his gratitude for the solidarity shown by both countries and emphasized that the aid constitutes a demonstration of brotherhood and cooperation between the Latin American and Caribbean peoples, as well as concrete support for Cuba amidst current economic limitations.
The event was also attended by Emilio Lozada García, member of the Central Committee of the Party and head of its Department of International Relations; as well as other leaders of the central administration bodies of the State.
Source: Granma translation Walter Lippmann