The U.S. confirmed it will deliver $3 million in humanitarian aid pledged after Hurricane Melissa, weeks after the storm hit eastern Cuba. Washington warned Havana not to interfere with distribution and said aid will be routed through the Catholic Church and closely monitored. Cuban officials criticized the timing as "opportunistic" but agreed to accept and distribute the assistance. The move comes amid U.S. threats to block Venezuelan oil and payments and broader U.S. sanctions on Cuba.
U.S. Delivers $3M in Hurricane Aid to Cuba After Delay — Washington Warns Havana Against Interference
A 3D printed miniature of U.S. President Donald Trump and Cuban flag are seen in this illustration taken January 9, 2026. REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration
WASHINGTON/HAVANA, Jan 15 — The U.S. State Department said it will deliver $3 million in humanitarian aid to Cuba that was pledged after Hurricane Melissa struck eastern Cuba in October. The package, announced weeks ago, was formally confirmed this week after a 77-day delay that has prompted skepticism in Havana.
Cuba Questions U.S. Motives But Will Accept Aid
The hurricane devastated eastern provinces, isolating communities, destroying homes and inundating cropland. Cuban officials said the timing of Washington's offer — more than two months after the storm — appeared "opportunistic" and politically motivated, but they agreed to accept the assistance and to ensure it reaches affected families.
Jeremy Lewin, the United States' senior official for foreign assistance, humanitarian affairs and religious freedom, said the aid will be routed through Cuba's Catholic Church and closely monitored. He warned that Washington will hold Havana "accountable" if supplies are diverted.
"This is our hemisphere, and as the president said after the operation to capture Maduro, you know, American dominance in our hemisphere will not be questioned ever again," Lewin said, adding that the Venezuela case "should make clear to the Cuban regime and every other despot around the world that you don't play games with President Trump."
Vice Foreign Minister Carlos de Cossio denounced Lewin's comments on X as "apocalyptic threats," saying Washington misreads the level of domestic support for the Cuban government. Cuba's Foreign Ministry characterized the U.S. move as "opportunistic" and a form of "political manipulation" hidden as humanitarian aid, but said Havana would guarantee the assistance is used appropriately.
The announcement comes amid U.S. threats to block oil and funds from longtime ally Venezuela following a January 3 operation that authorities say captured Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro — a measure analysts warn could be catastrophic for Cuba's already fragile fuel supplies, power grid and economy.
Cuba's collapsed economy, with widespread shortages of fuel, food and medicine, has complicated recovery efforts after the hurricane. The United States has added dozens of sanctions on the Communist-run island since the trade embargo imposed after Fidel Castro's 1959 revolution.
Reporting by Simon Lewis in Washington and Dave Sherwood in Havana; Editing by Lisa Shumaker and Rod Nickel.
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