Cuba has accepted a donation of humanitarian aid from the United States, channeled through the US Conference of Catholic Bishops, to support recovery efforts following Hurricane Melissa's passage in October 2025. However, the Cuban government criticizes the lack of official communication from Washington and warns against the political exploitation of the assistance. The aid will reach victims without conditions, as part of broader recovery initiatives on the island.
Hurricane Melissa struck Cuba on October 29, 2025, prompting immediate intensive recovery efforts and initial solidarity assistance. Seventy-seven days later, on January 14, 2026, the US State Department publicly announced that part of the humanitarian aid would arrive in the country. However, there has been no official communication from the US government to Cuban authorities confirming the shipment.
It was the Cuban Catholic Church that informed local authorities of the US Conference of Catholic Bishops' intention to serve as the channel for this government-provided assistance. As a matter of principle, Cuba does not oppose aid from governments or organizations as long as it directly benefits the people and is not used for political gain under the guise of humanitarian gestures.
Contributions are received, organized, and distributed in Cuba through the officially responsible government authorities, with participation from entities like the Catholic Church that have proven experience in such processes. The donation is accepted without conditions and is viewed as a gesture from the American people, whose taxes fund the government's public resources.
This material assistance will be directed to victims and affected communities, though it constitutes only a fraction of the efforts by the Cuban people and government, as well as aid received from various parts of the world, including non-governmental US organizations. Despite any statements from the State Department, the facts regarding Cuba's recovery management remain unchanged.
Cuba's response highlights transparency in distribution and rejects any opportunistic manipulation of humanitarian gestures.
