Related videos:
The Cuban regime softened its stance on Thursday regarding the offer of $100 million in humanitarian aid proposed by the United States and stated that it is willing to "hear the specifics of the offer."
After initially labeling the proposal as a "fable" and a "lie," Foreign Minister Bruno Rodríguez Parrilla softened his stance in a post on X, where he stated that Cuba "does not have a practice of rejecting foreign aid" and that it also has "no issues working with the Catholic Church."
The statement marks a significant shift from the narrative maintained by high-ranking officials of the regime in recent days, amid increasing pressure due to the energy crisis, widespread blackouts, and the island's economic deterioration.
The political dilemma of the regime
The offer was publicly reiterated this Wednesday by the U.S. Department of State, which stated that it had previously presented it privately to Havana on several occasions.
The proposal includes 100 million dollars in humanitarian aid for the Cuban people, distributed through the Catholic Church and other independent organizations, avoiding state intervention.
The Secretary of State Marco Rubio revealed the initiative on May 8 from Rome, after meeting with Pope Leo XIV at the Vatican.
Until recently, the regime had responded with hostility. Bruno Rodríguez referred to the proposal as a "fable" and a "100 million dollar lie," while Deputy Minister Carlos Fernández de Cossío described it as a "dirty political deal."
Now, however, Havana claims to be willing to learn the details of the offer, although it insists on questioning Washington's intentions and attributes the Cuban crisis to the “economic blockade.”
How the aid would be distributed
According to the State Department, the assistance would be channeled through the Catholic Church and humanitarian organizations deemed reliable by Washington.
The mechanism would replicate that used after Hurricane Melissa, when the U.S. distributed aid through Cáritas Cuba and parish networks without direct involvement from the Cuban government.
In his message, Bruno Rodríguez also acknowledged that the Cuban government has a “long and positive experience” of cooperation with the Catholic Church, a statement that also tones down the confrontational approach of previous days.
The role of Pope Leo XIV remains central in this process. Rubio had conversations with the pontiff in Rome about the humanitarian situation in Cuba and the possibility of increasing international aid to the island.
Response from Bruno Rodríguez and Fernández de Cossío
Although the chancellor softened his stance, he continued to criticize Washington and called for clarification on whether the aid would be in cash or in kind, as well as its specific destination.
We hope it is free from political maneuvering and attempts to take advantage of the shortcomings and pain of a besieged people,” he wrote.
Rodríguez also insisted that “the best assistance” the United States could offer would be to ease the energy and economic sanctions imposed in recent months.
The shift in discourse contrasts with previous statements made by the chancellor and Fernández de Cossío, who had publicly dismissed the proposal and accused Washington of using aid for political purposes.
Context of sanctions and pressure from Trump/Rubio
The U.S. offer comes amid a towards the Cuban regime.
In recent weeks, Washington has expanded sanctions against strategic sectors of the Cuban economy and high-ranking officials linked to the state and military apparatus.
At the same time, the energy crisis on the island has dramatically worsened. The Energy Minister himself, Vicente de la O Levy, admitted this week that Cuba has no diesel or fuel oil reserves to support the national electrical system.
Power outages are now exceeding 20 hours a day in several areas of the country, leading to protests, noise-making demonstrations, and growing social discontent.
Political consequences of the change in stance
Bruno Rodríguez's new message reflects the growing pressure the regime is facing amid the energy collapse and humanitarian crisis.
Havana is currently avoiding formally accepting the aid, but it is also not publicly dismissing it, marking a significant shift from the initial outright rejection.
The sequence is politically awkward for the regime: first, it denied the existence of the offer, then it attacked it as political propaganda, and now it claims to be willing to listen to its conditions.
Meanwhile, Washington keeps the proposal on the table and shifts the political responsibility to the Cuban government to either accept or block aid intended directly for the population.
Filed under: