Citizens, businesses, and public institutions in Vietnam donated over 4.8 million dollars in just 48 hours, at the start of an official campaign to support the Cuban regime, according to the state newspaper Vietnam News.
The initiative, which seeks to "promote the spirit of friendship and solidarity" with Havana, is being carried out on the occasion of the 65th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries and aims to raise funds for the shipment of medical supplies, essential goods, and cooperation projects.
The initial goal was to raise 65 trillion dong (about 2.1 million euros), but the figure was significantly surpassed in the first two days, the organizers stated.
According to Vietnam News, by 2:00 PM local time on Thursday, nearly 128 trillion dong (4.17 million euros) had been collected, and the campaign will remain open until October 16.
Rogelio Polanco Fuentes, the island's ambassador to that country, celebrated the news on his X account and highlighted Vietnam's support for the regime in Havana.
Other regime officials, such as diplomat David Ramírez Álvarez and Enrique Villuendas from the Central Committee, also echoed the news.
Vietnam, the main supplier of rice to Cuba, has sent several shipments of this staple — a fundamental part of the diet on the island — in recent years as part of its bilateral cooperation.
Alongside China, it has contributed food aid in a context where Cuba allocates about 2 billion dollars annually to import products for the basic basket.
The campaign comes amid the severe economic crisis facing the Caribbean country, marked by shortages of food, medicine, and fuel, high inflation, and prolonged blackouts—issues that the Cuban regime blames on the U.S. embargo, natural disasters, and internal failures in its economic model.
However, amid this economic collapse, it was recently revealed that GAESA, the business conglomerate of the Revolutionary Armed Forces, controls over 18 billion dollars in liquid assets, which is more than the international reserves of countries like Panama or Uruguay.
An investigation by the Miami Herald, based on 22 leaked financial documents from 2023 and 2024, revealed that this accumulation is directly linked to the structural impoverishment of the country.
Under the leadership of Raúl Castro, who still maintains real control of the country at the age of 94, GAESA has operated as a state within the state and has effectively assumed the role of a parallel central bank, accumulating foreign currency reserves without institutional oversight or accountability.
For years, the regime has solely blamed the U.S. embargo for the shortages on the island, but financial documents reveal that the funds to avert the crisis are available; they just aren’t being allocated to resolve it.
Meanwhile, under the pretext of the crisis, Cuba continues to pass the hat to squeeze "aid" from its allies, such as Vietnam, Russia, China, and Venezuela.
Frequently asked questions about fundraising for the Cuban regime from Vietnam and the situation in Cuba
How much money has Vietnam raised for the Cuban regime?
Vietnam has raised more than 4.8 million dollars for the Cuban regime in just 48 hours, far exceeding the initial target of 65 billion dong (around 2.1 million euros).
What is the purpose of the fundraising campaign "65 Years of Vietnam-Cuba Friendship"?
The goal of the campaign is to promote the spirit of friendship and solidarity with Havana and to raise funds to send medical supplies, essential goods, and to support cooperation projects between Vietnam and Cuba.
What is the current economic and food situation in Cuba?
Cuba is facing a severe economic crisis characterized by shortages of food, medicine, and fuel, high inflation, and prolonged blackouts. Domestic production has significantly declined, forcing the country to rely almost entirely on imports, in a context where the purchasing power of the population has deeply deteriorated.
What role does GAESA play in the Cuban economy?
GAESA, the business conglomerate of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Cuba, controls over 18 billion dollars in liquid assets. It functions as a state within a state, accumulating foreign currency reserves without institutional oversight or accountability, while the country grapples with a severe economic crisis.
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