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The Government of Chile announced this Thursday that it will send humanitarian aid to Cuba amid the profound energy crisis the island is facing due to sanctions imposed by the United States on countries that supply it with oil.
According to a report by the agency EFE from Santiago, Minister Alberto van Klaveren announced in a press conference that Chile is determined to provide humanitarian aid to the Cuban people through the Chile Fund against Hunger and Poverty.
The minister described the situation on the island as a "humanitarian drama" and indicated that the final amount of the contribution would be detailed in the coming hours, to be channeled through multilateral organizations and United Nations programs.
Van Klaveren recalled that this special fund has been used in other serious crises, such as the conflict in Ukraine, the situation in Gaza, and the impact of hurricanes in the Caribbean. He also noted that Cuba has already received a small amount of humanitarian aid following a hurricane last year.
The Chilean decision comes amid increased pressure from Washington on Havana, following the presidential order of January 29 that imposes tariffs on those providing fuel to Cuba, which has worsened blackouts and fuel shortages on the island.
Subsequently, the Minister of the Interior, Álvaro Elizalde, defended the measure in response to criticism from opposition sectors. According to BioBioChile, the Secretary of State stated that the aid is not a response to pressures or political calculations, but rather a humanitarian conviction in light of the complex situation faced by Cuban families.
He added that the support will be provided to the Cuban people and not to their government, and that it will be managed by United Nations agencies to ensure proper use of the resources.
In the same vein, spokesperson minister Camila Vallejo stated that the assistance is strictly humanitarian and does not imply political support for the Cuban regime.
According to statements collected by ADN Radio, Vallejo emphasized that “humanitarian aid is not political support” and that the priority is to address urgent needs in food and health. She also recalled that after the 2010 earthquake in Chile, Cuba sent medical brigades as a gesture of solidarity.
Chile thus joins Mexico, which this Thursday announced new shipments of aid to the island.
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