The help that arrives by sea
Guillermo Beltrán, 70, opened two large bags on Thursday. Inside he found the basics: rice, beans, oil, sardines. All with a label that said “Made in Mexico”. For this single father of two teenagers, it wasn’t just food. It was a respite.
“It means tremendous joy because the situation has made it difficult for us,” he told the AP. “The Mexican president must be elevated to heaven.”
His family is one of hundreds who received this donation. He arrived on Mexican Navy ships to Havana last week. A concrete gesture after the announcement by President Claudia Sheinbaum.
A context that suffocates
But why so much need? The story has layers. In January, the United States threatened to impose tariffs on countries that sell oil to Cuba. One more blow to an already wounded economy.
The attack was direct. Cuba produces only 40% of the fuel it needs. Venezuela, its main energy ally, is under extreme pressure. Mexico and Russia are the other suppliers.
“What they have done is unfair… it is an abuse,” Beltrán lamented about the measures. “Last night until what hours without power… it’s something anti-human.”
The streets of Havana show it: empty of vehicles. Gasoline is sold only in dollars, with minimum quotas. The appointments to buy it are requested through an app… and they give appointments for months from now.
The daily life of scarcity
The Cuban government says the 800 tons of aid will go to vulnerable families in several provinces. Roberto Román, manager of a winery in Plaza, confirms it.
“People are very grateful,” he told the AP. Its premises serve 850 families.
But the crisis is deeper than food packages. Working hours are reduced. Cinemas and theaters cancel performances. Some airlines suspended routes; others will stop in third countries to refuel.
The authorities are trying creative patches: they gave temporary permits to owners of electric tricycles to help with urban transportation. It is what it is.
Russia and China condemned the US sanctions, but their support has been, for now, only declarative. Meanwhile, 1,500 more tons of powdered milk and beans remain to be shipped from Mexico.
For Guillermo Beltrán and his daughters, ages 13 and 16, today there is rice on the table. Tomorrow is another question.
