Colombian ship laden with food and goods docks in Cuba to help ease crises

A ship carrying nearly 100 tonnes of food and essential goods arrived in Cuba from Colombia on Friday, part of humanitarian aid sent by several countries as the U.S. energy embargo continues. The vessel, which departed Cartagena in early June, crossed Havana Bay early in the morning under the Colombian flag, escorted by a small Cuban auxiliary boat.

The Colombian Presidential Agency for International Cooperation said the shipment, ordered by President Gustavo Petro, included non-perishable food, medicine, hospital supplies, electrical materials, solar panels, and other items. Additionally, seven tonnes of goods collected by solidarity groups were on board.

Last weekend, another ship carrying 1,700 tonnes of essential goods from Mexico and Belize arrived in Havana.

U.S. sanctions On Thursday, Washington announced sanctions against Cuba's state-owned oil and gas company, a move expected to increase tensions. This came nearly a week after the U.S. sanctioned Cuban President Miguel Díaz‑Canel and other officials, as well as several institutions.

Cuba has long struggled under a decades-old embargo and a shortage of petroleum, as the U.S. pushes for changes in its economic and political model. Power outages, already common due to the economic and energy crisis over the past five years, have intensified since Trump threatened tariffs in late January on countries that sell or provide oil to Cuba.

Cuba's government said Wednesday that the U.S. oil blockade is preventing the United Nations from distributing 170 containers of humanitarian aid. Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez stated that 170 containers of UN aid worth $6.3 million (€5.4 million) are not reaching beneficiaries due to fuel shortages. Writing on X, he stressed that the blockade not only hampers Cuba's economy but also affects international organisations.

Both countries have acknowledged holding talks, but the scope remains unknown. Meanwhile, Trump has threatened military action in Cuba since the U.S. military invaded Venezuela and arrested former President Nicolás Maduro. Last Thursday, Trump said Cuba has "sort of collapsed" and said "we're going to handle that as soon as we've finished" military operations in Iran.