• Statement from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs

In the context of the intense recovery effort that began immediately in Cuba following Hurricane Melissa's passage through the country on October 29, 2025, and the solidarity assistance that also arrived from the outset, the U.S. government announced its intention to send humanitarian aid.

Seventy-seven days have passed. On January 14, the U.S. State Department publicly announced that part of the aid would arrive in Cuba. At no time has there been any official communication from the U.S. government to the Cuban government to confirm such a shipment.

It was the Cuban Catholic Church that approached the country's authorities with the information that the US Conference of Catholic Bishops intended to be the channel for sending material assistance to Cuba, provided by the US government.

As a matter of principle, Cuba does not oppose assistance from governments or organizations, provided that it benefits the people and that the needs of the victims are not used for political gain under the guise of humanitarian gestures.

Contributions from any source are received, organized, and channeled in Cuba through the government authorities officially responsible for this task, and with the participation of organizations, such as the Catholic Church and others, with proven experience in this type of process.

Cuba accepts this donation without conditions and understands that it is a gesture from the people of the United States, who support the public funds used by the government with their contributions.

The material assistance from the United States through this channel will obviously be directed to the victims and affected communities, although it represents a fraction of the efforts of the Cuban people and government and of the aid received from various parts of the world, including U.S. organizations not associated with the government.

The State Department may continue to lie about Cuba, but it cannot alter the facts.

Havana, January 14, 2026