The "Saturnino Lora Torres" Provincial Clinical Surgical Teaching Hospital in Santiago de Cuba reported that a shipment of over 3.5 million syringes and needles intended for the island's healthcare system remains held at the port of Kingston, Jamaica, following the suspension of maritime services to Cuba by the French shipping company CMA CGM.
The institution made the situation public through a post on Facebook, where it explained that the material was sent by the Spanish organization SODePAZ (Solidarity for Development and Peace) and is part of a group of containers that have not been able to reach the island.
According to the hospital, CMA CGM left dozens of containers destined for Cuba at the Jamaican port and has not provided an alternative to complete the transfer.
According to the complaint, the shipping company only offers two options: return the cargo to the port of origin or transfer it to another transportation company, with the costs being the sender's responsibility.
The suspension of shipments to Cuba
The situation arises after CMA CGM and the German shipping company Hapag-Lloyd suspended their operations to and from Cuba in mid-May 2026.
Both companies confirmed the suspension of their services just days after issuing internal orders to stop accepting new bookings to the island. According to sources cited by Reuters, the two companies account for a significant portion of Cuba's maritime cargo traffic.
The decision came after the entry into force of Executive Order 14404, signed by President Donald Trump on May 1, 2026, which expanded sanctions against entities linked to the Cuban regime and tightened restrictions on foreign companies that conduct operations with them.
Subsequently, on May 7, Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced additional sanctions against GAESA, the business conglomerate controlled by the Cuban Armed Forces, which the Department of State views as a central player in the state economy.
Impact on the healthcare system
The retention of the shipment occurs at a particularly sensitive moment for the Cuban healthcare system, which has been suffering for years from shortages of medications, medical supplies, and disposable materials.
The more than 3.5 million syringes and needles were destined for health institutions on the island, according to the publication from the Santiago hospital.
In April of this year, United Nations agencies raised concerns about the worsening health situation in Cuba, while Cuban authorities admitted to difficulties in ensuring the supply of medications and essential goods.
The U.S. sanctions include exceptions for medications and humanitarian aid. However, financial and logistical restrictions have complicated the operations of numerous companies and organizations seeking to send supplies to the island.
So far, CMA CGM has not publicly announced a date to resume its services to Cuba or a solution for the containers that remain held in Kingston.
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