Cuba in crisis after US action: Emergency aid convoy with food and medicine planned

Cubans lack everything from food to medicine and have to live with prolonged power outages.

Garbage piles up on the streets of Havana, Cuba, as the lack of fuel also affects garbage trucks.
Published

An international convoy with emergency aid is scheduled to arrive in Cuba's capital, Havana, on March 21.

This is stated on their website by Nuestra América Convoy to Cuba, the organizers of the initiative.

The communist island state is struggling with a serious economic crisis that has been worsened by US President Donald Trump's attempt to cut off the country from oil.

The emergency aid is scheduled to be delivered by boat and plane.

- The convoy will deliver much-needed food, medicine, medical equipment and essential supplies to communities facing severe shortages as a result of the intensified US siege, which has disrupted fuel imports, grounded air traffic and put pressure on hospitals and critical infrastructure, according to Nuestra América Convoy to Cuba.

Oil supplies plummet after US action

The organisers describe themselves as an international coalition of trade unionists, parliamentarians, humanitarian organisations and public figures, including Swedish activist Greta Thunberg.

Cuba’s national oil supply has fallen dramatically in a short period of time.

Oil supplies were cut off following the US capture of former Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro shortly after the turn of the year. Venezuela and Cuba have close ties, and the country has been Cuba’s largest supplier of oil.

The United States has had a full embargo on Cuba since 1962. The embargo prevents American companies and citizens from doing business with Cuba.

However, in recent months the American approach has become even harsher, with the United States threatening tariffs and sanctions against countries that send supplies to Cuba.

/ritzau/AFP