The Cuban government has taken delivery of a shipment containing 100 power generators, a donation from the U.S.-based organization People’s Forum NYC, aimed at alleviating the ongoing energy crisis on the island following the devastation caused by hurricanes Rafael and Oscar. This assistance, distributed over three shipments in the past 10 days, is intended to support hospitals, clinics, and other facilities in provinces such as Guantánamo, Artemisa, Mayabeque, and Havana, which have been severely hit by power outages, as reported by the state-run Cuban Television.
“These power plants arrive at a crucial moment for the recovery of the country's electrical system after two hurricanes struck in such a short span,” stated Déborah Rivas Saavedra, Deputy Minister of Foreign Trade and Foreign Investment, at the airport. She explained that the generators would be allocated "to recovery activities in the hardest-hit areas of the western provinces."
Rivas Saavedra further elaborated, “Their use is immediate and versatile, always for essential services for the Cuban population, including food processing centers, warehouses for distributing products to those affected, hospital emergency rooms, and to maintain communication networks.”
Meanwhile, Miguel Díaz-Canel expressed his gratitude for the aid on social media, noting, “Solidarity also arrives from the American people. People’s Forum NYC has donated 100 power generators in 10 days.” Díaz-Canel, who is closely associated with Manolo de los Santos, the co-executive director of The People’s Forum, inadvertently acknowledged that the much-touted "blockade" is more of a rhetorical device in the regime's narrative than a genuine "strangulation policy" by the neighboring country.
This act of solidarity by an organization aligned with the Cuban totalitarian regime highlights a glaring contradiction in the official discourse, which has long claimed that the U.S. "blockade" is the primary cause of the island's systemic and economic failures. “Cuba appreciates this gesture of support that transcends the barriers of the U.S. blockade. The People’s Forum represents the solidarity of New Yorkers and, by extension, the American people, demonstrating that a better relationship with that country is possible,” concluded Rivas Saavedra in her address.
Donations Challenge the "Blockade" Narrative
While Cuban authorities continue to insist that the U.S. embargo stifles development and is the root cause of shortages in critical sectors, the steady flow of humanitarian aid from the United States challenges this narrative. Besides the recent donation of generators, other U.S. entities and organizations have supplied food, medical supplies, and additional generators in recent months, showcasing that despite embargo restrictions, the American people's solidarity with Cubans remains evident.
This contrast between official rhetoric and reality is also reflected in other international aid. Countries like Venezuela, Canada, and Norway have contributed supplies and funds to support communities impacted by natural disasters. Nevertheless, Cuban authorities persist in portraying the "blockade" as the insurmountable obstacle affecting the nation’s welfare.
Internal Actions Raise Concerns
Although donations like those from The People’s Forum NYC are a cause for gratitude and recognition, the management of aid by Cuban authorities raises concerns within civil society. Earlier this year, Cuban State Security confiscated donations intended for vulnerable children and families from independent journalist José Luis Tan Estrada, highlighting the strict control the government exerts over incoming resources and casting doubt on the transparency of aid distribution.
U.S. Donations to Cuba Reach Record Levels
Humanitarian donations from U.S. organizations to Cuba have increased this year compared to the previous year, reaching the highest level since 2014. The U.S.-Cuba Trade and Economic Council (USCTEC) reported in mid-September that the amount by July 2024 had already surpassed donations made in 2023, not accounting for personal donations or deliveries by travelers through flights and third countries.
The recorded donations include items such as food, medical supplies, clothing, and reading materials. So far in 2024, these donations total over 38 million dollars (US$38,907,503.00).