![\"Humanitarian](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.marineinsight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Humanitarian-aid.jpg?resize=1200%2C628\")
Two Mexican Navy vessels carrying humanitarian supplies arrived in Havana on Thursday, providing critical support to Cuba amid a worsening energy shortage caused by U.S. sanctions.<\/p>\n
The ships, named Papaloapan and Isla Holbox, brought essential food and hygiene items and arrived at Havana Harbour under calm conditions.<\/p>\n
One of the vessels transported approximately 536 tons of food, including milk, rice, beans, sardines, meat products, cookies, canned tuna, vegetable oil, and personal hygiene items.<\/p>\n
The second carried over 277 tons of powdered milk. Local residents gathered to witness the ships\u2019 arrival and documented the unloading of supplies.<\/p>\n
The aid shipments follow U.S. threats to impose tariffs on countries that provide oil to Cuba, which led the island to implement strict energy rationing.<\/p>\n Cuban authorities reported that the shortages were affecting hospitals, schools, transportation, tourism, and food production.<\/p>\n Airlines, including Air Canada, suspended or rerouted flights due to limited fuel availability.<\/p>\n Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum stated that further humanitarian aid is planned, including 1,500 tons of beans and powdered milk, while diplomatic efforts are ongoing to restore oil supplies to Cuba.<\/p>\n Sheinbaum\u2019s administration confirmed that Mexico has informed the United States of its intention to support Cuba and facilitate access to oil for its daily operations.<\/p>\n Prior to the U.S. announcements, Mexico\u2019s state-owned oil company, Petr\u00f3leos Mexicanos (Pemex), had suspended crude oil shipments to Cuba in January.<\/p>\n Cuba had also relied heavily on oil from Venezuela, which ceased after U.S. military intervention led to the removal of Venezuelan leader Nicol\u00e1s Maduro.<\/p>\n Russian officials declined to comment on possible oil supplies, citing the need to avoid escalating tensions with the United States.<\/p>\n Cuba, with a population of 9.6 million, has been subject to a U.S. trade embargo since 1962, resulting in longstanding economic challenges.<\/p>\n Fuel distribution companies have limited sales to 20 litres per user, processed in U.S. dollars, and the government has reduced school hours, public transport, and bank operating times.<\/p>\n Between March 2024 and February 2025, U.S. sanctions reportedly cost Cuba more than $7.5 billion.<\/p>\n![\"mexico\"](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.marineinsight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/mexico-1.jpg?resize=1200%2C628\")
![\"mexican](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.marineinsight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/mexican-navy.jpg?resize=1200%2C628\")