• The U.S. announces an additional $6 million in aid for Cuba, raising total assistance to $9 million.
• Cuban President Díaz-Canel accuses the U.S. of an "energy blockade" amid deepening crises.
• Cuba faces severe fuel shortages and economic challenges exacerbated by U.S. sanctions.

The U.S. government on Thursday announced an additional $6 million in aid for Cuba, aimed at alleviating the humanitarian crisis exacerbated by Hurricane Melissa, which struck the island last year. This aid includes essential supplies such as rice, beans, and solar lamps. U.S. officials emphasized that the distribution will be overseen to prevent interference from the Cuban government, highlighting concerns about the regime potentially misappropriating the assistance, according to Los Angeles Times and Reuters.

Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel has criticized the U.S. for creating an "energy blockade," claiming that recent U.S. policies have directly resulted in significant fuel shortages that affect various sectors across the country, including transportation and healthcare. He pointed out that U.S. sanctions have cost Cuba over $7.5 billion in lost revenues between March 2024 and February 2025, according to South China Morning Post. Díaz-Canel expressed that the Cuban people are resilient, stating, "I know we are going to live through difficult times. But we will overcome them together, with creative resilience."

Jeremy Lewin, a senior State Department official, countered Cuban claims by asserting that the humanitarian crisis is largely due to the government's inability to manage resources effectively, rather than U.S. sanctions or the halt of Venezuelan oil shipments. He accused Cuba's leadership of mismanaging resources and of prioritizing military and foreign engagements over the well-being of its citizens. Lewin's remarks emphasized, "It's because the government can't put food on the shelves," reflecting ongoing frustrations with Cuba's internal governance, according to Reuters and South China Morning Post.

Cuba's Deputy Foreign Minister, Carlos Fernandez de Cossio, condemned the U.S. actions as hypocritical, labeling the aid announcement as "two-faced." He highlighted the inconsistency of providing humanitarian assistance while simultaneously imposing severe restrictions that limit the country's economic viability, according to Los Angeles Times and South China Morning Post.