Canada announced Monday it is preparing a plan to provide aid to Cuba, as the island nation faces escalating fuel shortages and widespread blackouts resulting from a U.S. Embargo on oil shipments, including those previously sourced from Venezuela.
Canadian Foreign Minister Anita Anand stated the government is “preparing a plan to assist,” but offered no specifics on the nature or timing of the aid package. “We are not prepared at this point to provide any further details of an announcement,” Anand said.
The move comes as the United States, under President Donald Trump, has intensified pressure on Cuba, blocking all oil imports, including supplies from Venezuela. This policy has led to significant price increases for food and transportation, and has triggered severe fuel shortages and prolonged power outages across the country, according to reports.
The United Nations has warned that Cuba’s energy crisis could escalate into a humanitarian disaster if its energy needs are not met. Canada had previously expressed concern over the “increasing risk of a humanitarian crisis” in Cuba last week, prompting the current consideration of aid.
The Trump administration’s actions against Cuba are reportedly emboldened by the recent U.S. Military seizure of ousted Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro in January. Trump has repeatedly voiced intentions to further pressure Cuba’s leadership, stating, “Cuba will be failing pretty soon,” and noting that Venezuela has ceased sending oil or financial assistance to the island.
Tensions between Washington and Ottawa have been strained under Trump’s presidency, stemming from disputes over trade tariffs, rhetoric regarding Greenland, Canada’s efforts to strengthen ties with Beijing, and Prime Minister Mark Carney’s assertion that “middle powers” should collaborate to avoid being disadvantaged by U.S. Hegemony.
The UN human rights office has criticized the U.S. Raid that led to Maduro’s capture as a violation of international law. Human rights experts have characterized Trump’s foreign policy, particularly his focus on exploiting Venezuelan oil and restricting Cuba, as exhibiting imperialistic tendencies.
Mexico also recently dispatched two ships carrying over 2,000 tons of goods and food to Cuba earlier this month, in an effort to alleviate the humanitarian situation exacerbated by the U.S. Oil embargo.
