European volunteers from the ‘Convoy Nuestra America’ initiative visit a hospital in Havana on Wednesday. This first delegation arrived with nearly 5 tons of medical supplies in a show of solidarity against the U.S. oil embargo, according to Progressive International. Photo by Ernesto Mastracusa/EPA
International groups began to send humanitarian aid to Cuba this week as the island faces widespread blackouts due to an energy crisis worsened by fuel shortages, according to media reports and local authorities.
Food shipments from countries that include the United Kingdom, Ireland, Argentina, Mexico and Turkey are also part of the effort.
The different groups are expected to converge in Havana on Saturday to deliver the aid to local organizations.
Primer grupo de convoy solidario llegó a Cuba con ayuda humanitaria. Un abrazo de quienes demuestran al imperio que #CubaNoEstáSola #CubaPorLaVida pic.twitter.com/XOuq8sUAzG— Dra. Bárbara Daudinot (@Dra_BDaudinot) March 19, 2026
The first members of an international convoy arrived in Havana on Wednesday with initial aid shipments as part of a mission expected to deliver more than 20 tons of food, medical supplies and solar energy equipment in the coming days.
The initiative, organized by a network of groups, seeks to respond to deteriorating living conditions on the island. Its organizers say the aid comes amid restrictions on energy supply.
Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel said last week that the country has not received “a single fuel shipment” in more than three months.
Part of the assistance includes at least $500,000 in solar energy materials provided by organizations based in the United States, along with additional panels sent from Colombia.
According to organizers, the equipment will be primarily allocated to hospitals and clinics affected by prolonged power outages.
A delegation from Milan, Italy, is transporting more than 4 tons of medical supplies, while another delegation from Brazil is contributing about half a ton more.
The initiative is also backed by lawmakers, labor leaders, activists and public figures from various countries.
Participants or advocates include former Spanish political leader Pablo Iglesias, climate activist Greta Thunberg and former British Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn.
Governments in the region have announced shipments, as well.
Brazil confirmed the delivery of 20,800 tons of food as humanitarian aid, according to regional media reports, along with supplies for agricultural production funded by the government and coordinated through the Brazilian Cooperation Agency.
Brazil’s Minister of Agrarian Development, Paulo Teixeira, said the resources are intended to support food supply on the island amid fuel shortages.
In Europe, an initial shipment of five tons of medical supplies and essential equipment also arrived in Havana on Wednesday, including medicines and hospital materials.
Russia has also increased its energy support. Ships carrying 27,000 tons of fuel and other cargo with up to 100,000 tons of crude oil are heading to Cuba, with arrivals expected starting Monday, according to media reports.
International aid arrives at a critical moment. In recent days, Cuba has faced total blackouts affecting millions of people. One of the most recent occurred Monday, when the National Electric System collapsed completely, marking the sixth nationwide blackout in approximately 18 months.
Earlier this month, a massive outage had already left about two-thirds of the country without electricity.
Fuel shortages have triggered cascading effects, including food losses due to lack of refrigeration, disruptions in water supply and limitations in hospital services.
The crisis has intensified following the interruption of supplies from Venezuela, historically Cuba’s main oil provider.
Several countries began to send assistance in February. Mexico dispatched more than 800 tons of food and basic supplies in multiple shipments, while organizations in Brazil sent medicines to Cuban hospitals. Chile also announced the delivery of humanitarian aid, although without specifying volumes.
