European humanitarian groups send aid convoy to Cuba under US embargo

A Global Aid Mission Arrives in Havana Amidst Energy Crisis

A convoy of over 20 tonnes of food, medical supplies, and solar panel equipment has arrived in Havana, Cuba, as part of a global aid mission. The mission, organised by Nuestra America Convoy to Cuba (NACC), is being led by an alliance of progressive groups from Europe.

The convoy includes representatives from European left-wing political parties, trade unions, and advocacy groups who departed from Milan on Tuesday. The group’s arrival comes as Cuba faces a nationwide blackout and energy crisis due to the US’s total oil blockade, which has resulted in no foreign fuel shipments reaching the country in the last three months.

The NACC activists have expressed concerns about the impact of the oil blockade on Cuba, stating that it is “illegal by every measure.” They also argue that European countries should oppose and pressure President Trump to lift the embargo on Cuba.

Several European governments, including China, Chile, Mexico, and Canada, have pledged or sent humanitarian aid to Cuba. Spain has also promised to channel aid. The Cuban consul general in Milan, Jose Luis Darias Suarez, met with NACC members before their departure and expressed a desire for continued cooperation between Cuba and the European Union.

The EU-Cuba Political Dialogue and Cooperation Agreement (PDCA) is a legal framework that governs EU-Cuba relations, promoting human rights and democracy. However, an amendment to the European Parliament’s foreign policy report has called for the PDCA to be suspended due to alleged worsening human rights records in Cuba.

Between 1993 and 2020, the EU provided Cuba with 94 million euros in humanitarian aid, with an additional 125 million euros set aside for cooperation from 2021-27. The European Commission’s funds aim to boost Cuba’s private sector and support renewable energy initiatives.

Source: Al Jazeera