Photographs and testimonies published by Cáritas Santa Clara on their social media contradict the narrative spread by profiles linked to the Cuban government, which in recent days attributed to the American humanitarian shipment some packages of supposedly contaminated beans.
According to the official post from Cáritas Santa Clara, the beneficiary families from the community of Sevilla, in Quemado de Güines, received on Saturday " hygiene kits and food in perfect condition."
The delivery took place in Sevilla, a settlement located two kilometers south of Quemado de Güines, in the province of Villa Clara.
The families had previously been visited and selected by volunteers from the La Purísima Concepción parish, and the images shared by the Diocese of Santa Clara show the beneficiaries receiving the boxes —with the American flag visible on the labels— inside their homes.
The organization highlighted a unique aspect of this day: "This distribution is notable for being carried out by young people from the town of Quemado de Güines who do not attend church and wished to join this charitable work, accompanied by members of Cáritas."
A total of 42 aid modules were distributed in the municipality, according to the testimony of Marlene Betancourt, a volunteer from Cáritas who participated in the event.
His account, also published by the Diocese, describes a reality that contrasts with any attempts to discredit the assistance: "The delivery of 42 aid packages from the people of the United States was a painful reminder of the poverty that surrounds us; seeing the suffering of those who have nothing material was heart-wrenching."
Betancourt also captured scenes that reflect the magnitude of the need among the beneficiaries: “I saw the joy in the grandmother’s eyes for a simple little lamp, and it reminded me of the value of small things.”
The distribution in Quemado de Güines occurs amid a campaign to discredit the head of the diplomatic mission of the U.S., Mike Hammer, documented this Sunday coinciding with his visit to Villa Clara.
Profiles with a history of promoting official propaganda shared images on social media of alleged "beans with worms," which they attributed to the U.S. shipment, without providing any evidence that the photographed products were part of that aid.
The shipment intended for Villa Clara —the first for that province— landed at Abel Santamaría Airport in Santa Clara in mid-September and included 700 food modules and 700 hygiene kits.
The reception was organized by the Diocese of Santa Clara, with the participation of Monsignor Arturo González Amador and Vanesa Hernández Toledo from Cáritas Santa Clara. The supplies were stored at the church La Purísima Concepción in Quemado de Güines, and distribution began on Saturday, coordinated by Cáritas Santa Clara and the parish priest Andy Acosta.
The beneficiaries were prioritized based on their vulnerability: elderly individuals living alone, pregnant or breastfeeding women, people with disabilities, and families with young children. The delivered products included rice, beans, sugar, oil, sardines, and tuna, as well as hygiene items and rechargeable lamps.
This assistance is part of the 100 million dollar humanitarian assistance program announced by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, of which 60 million is channeled through the Catholic Church —with participation from Catholic Relief Services and Cáritas Cuba— and 40 million through independent non-governmental organizations, with the aim of ensuring that resources reach citizens directly without going through the control of the regime.
"However, amidst this adversity, I found signs of hope: I could observe the kind hearts of neighbors who, despite their own misery, rejoiced knowing that others would receive relief, even if only temporary," Betancourt wrote, whose testimony concludes with a plea for the "sensitivity and strength necessary for the days still to come."
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