The detrimental effects of the six-decades-long United States blockade of Cuba, combined with the cruel impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, are hitting Cuba very hard.
Typically, the United States is blaming Cuba’s government for its current malaise. However, other nations see the situation differently.
Russia, China, Vietnam, Mexico, Venezuela, Nicaragua and Bolivia have already sent, or have promised to send, food to Cuba to assist its people in the present crisis.
Two aircraft from Russia arrived in Havana on July 25, delivering 80 tonnes of food and protective equipment, including 1 million medical masks. Vietnam has dispatched 10,900 tonnes of rice.
Five days later, the process of food distribution began. Other donated products, including sanitary material, are also being distributed free of charge.
Further shipments of food and other essentials are expected to arrive in Havana.
Food parcels consisting of rice, grains, pasta and sugar will be distributed throughout Cuba to the more than 3.8 million families registered with the Consumer Registry Offices, starting with the most vulnerable. Households in 15 out of the 18 Popular Councils of the Pinar del Río municipality will receive canned meat. In addition, all households in the province of Cienfuegos, on Cuba’s south coast, will receive half a litre of cooking oil.
During his time as president, Donald Trump imposed 243 additional sanctions on Cuba, on top of the draconian trade and economic embargo. The US government showed no compassion, even as the COVID-19 pandemic worsened.
Regrettably, Joe Biden has not reversed any of Trump's sanctions and has imposed additional sanctions since protests erupted in Cuba on July 11.