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The U.S. Under Secretary for External Assistance, Humanitarian Affairs, and Religious Freedom, Jeremy Lewin, thanked the Cuban-American artist Camila Cabello for bringing attention to U.S. humanitarian assistance in Cuba through the Catholic organization Caritas.
“Thank you Camila Cabello for highlighting the humanitarian work of Cáritas, which has collaborated with us over the past few weeks to provide the largest direct humanitarian response from the United States to Cuba in decades. The United States will continue to support and stand by the Cuban people,” wrote Lewin on X.
"For 70 years, the Cuban people have endured a brutal regime that has stripped them not only of their political and civil rights but also of any glimpse of economic opportunity. The regime has deliberately kept the country in misery to maintain its total control. As Secretary Rubio said last week, the only way out is for the regime to grant the Cuban people economic freedom so that they can take care of themselves," he added.
The message from Cabello
On Friday, Cabello denounced the humanitarian situation on the Island and openly questioned the regime.
In an Instagram post, the artist began by addressing the reality faced by the immigrant community in the United States, but made it clear that she also feels a personal responsibility to speak about her country of origin. “A lot is happening here at home, and there is much I could say about the painful situations the immigrant community is experiencing here in the United States. I also feel a personal responsibility to talk about what is happening in Cuba,” she wrote.
Cabello recalled that he still maintains direct contact with relatives on the Island and that, like many Cubans in exile, he relies on shipments to help them cope with the shortages. “I still have family on the island with whom we talk and to whom we send medicines, food, and clothing,” he noted alongside several photos from his childhood on the Island and the current situation.
The interpreter was particularly critical in describing the political reality of the country. “It has been 67 years of a failed dictatorship and an oppressive regime. The Cuban people are suffering in an echo chamber where no one can hear them, because speaking means risking their lives,” she stated.
In his message, he detailed everyday scenes that reflect the severity of the crisis: “Many people are going hungry, searching for food in the trash, and the only way to survive is for family members to send packages with medication, because even the hospitals lack medicines.” He also denounced the prolonged power outages and their consequences: “The electricity is off for so long that food spoils and water becomes scarce.”
The singer referred to the repression against those who protest peacefully. "When people have protested peacefully, they have disappeared or been imprisoned, some as young as 13. This is a reality where a post on the internet can cost you your life," she stated.
Cabello asserted that the Cuban people have lived "without dignity and without hope for too long" and pointed out that it is no coincidence that so many citizens have risked their lives at sea in search of freedom: "It is no surprise that so many Cubans have plunged into shark-infested waters, building rafts with tires and sticks and risking their lives for freedom."
Finally, she emphasized that the Island is experiencing "a deep humanitarian crisis" and called for support for organizations working on the ground. "If you want to help and don't know how, check the link in my story to support Cáritas Cuba and their work. If you can donate, any contribution makes a difference. Thank you very much, I love you all," she concluded.
U.S. Aid through Caritas
At the beginning of the month, the U.S. announced a $6 million humanitarian aid package for Cuba.
The money is allocated as direct assistance to the Cuban people and distributed without the regime's mediation.
"Building on the success of the recently announced partnership with the Catholic Church and Caritas, the Trump Administration announces an additional 6 million dollars in direct assistance for the Cuban people," stated the Department of State's announcement.
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