Chile’s government announced on Thursday that it will send humanitarian aid to Cuba in response to the serious economic crisis facing the Caribbean country.
The total amount delivered will be $1 million, which will be provided through the “Chile Against Hunger and Poverty” fund and delivered through the United Nations, with the goal of ensuring that it reaches the civilian population, explained Foreign Minister Alberto van Klaveren during a press conference.
According to the foreign minister, this method of aid is standard practice for the Chilean Foreign Ministry in such contexts.
Resources will not be delivered directly to the Cuban government, but will be used to finance humanitarian projects on the ground.
The Foreign Ministry points out that this is a practice that has already been used in a similar way to support crises such as those in Gaza and Ukraine.
The announcement comes amid heightened tension in Latin America related to Cuba after US President Donald Trump threatened sanctions on countries providing oil to the island.
Minister Secretary General of the Government Camila Vallejo had previously commented on the decision in statements to Radio ADN, noting that Chile had evaluated the measure based on available resources and humanitarian needs.
Vallejo stressed that this type of support is based on humanitarian reasons and that there are no political commitments.
The announcement also comes amid great internal pressure within the political spectrum, after the Communist Party demanded active collaboration on the Cuban situation from its colleagues in government.
“As a country, as the left and as a party, we have to take a leap forward in terms of quality and quantity in international solidarity, in all the dimensions that this can take,” said Lautaro Carmona, president of the Communist Party of Chile.
The measure has divided opinion within political sectors. While some support it on humanitarian grounds, others question backing a regime they consider authoritarian and argue that the government should prioritize local emergencies.
Cuba is currently facing major economic and energy supply difficulties, which have been intensifying following recent sanctions and restrictions imposed by the United States, affecting access to fuel and basic services on the island.
This situation has also led other countries, such as Mexico and China, to send humanitarian and political aid to the island.
Featured image: Chile’s humanitarian aid to Cuba will be carried out through a donation to UNICEF.
Image credits: T13 via x
