Diplomacy · Miami and Havana
U.S. sends first 18-tonne aid flight to Cuba under $100m Rubio pledge, targeting 700 families via church channels
The flight departed Miami on 21 July 2026 carrying rice, beans, oil, hygiene kits and flashlights, the opening delivery of a $100 million commitment by Secretary of State Marco Rubio that will eventually reach 196,000 families.
In brief
The initial shipment delivered rice, beans, cooking oil, hygiene kits and flashlights for 700 families, departing Miami on 21 July 2026.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio committed the funds in May 2026; the programme will eventually reach 196,000 families via Catholic Church networks.
Aid is being handed out by local Catholic parishes to ensure supplies reach ordinary Cubans and are not diverted by the government.
Under Secretary Jeremy Lewin accused the communist government of stealing funds and assets, linking the energy crisis to regime actions.
Cuban authorities first dismissed Rubio’s May offer but later expressed willingness to listen; CRS said the regime ultimately rejected the aid.
- February 2026Secretary Rubio expands assistance and repeats distribution conditions.
- May 2026Rubio pledges $100 million in humanitarian aid to Cuba.
- 21 JulFirst 18‑tonne aid flight departs Miami targeting 700 families.
Initial airlift details
A U.S. cargo plane left Miami International Airport around 15:00 local time (19:00 GMT) on Tuesday bound for Cuba with 18 tonnes of food, hygiene supplies and medical equipment. The shipment, organised with Catholic Relief Services (CRS), the Catholic Church and Caritas Cuba, is the first tranche of a $100 million humanitarian package pledged by Secretary of State Marco Rubio in May 2026. Items aboard the aircraft include rice, beans, cooking oil, hygiene kits and flashlights, enough to cover 700 families in the initial distribution, according to Under Secretary of State for Foreign Assistance Jeremy Lewin.
“We are sending packages of supplies and essential goods: food, medical equipment and daily use items to help children and families suffering blackouts because the communist regime has decided to steal the money and all assets.”
Distribution channels and safeguards
The aid will be handed out by local parish representatives to prevent interference by Havana. Lewin stressed that both air and sea deliveries are planned, with the overall programme targeting 196,000 families across the island. The State Department said direct parish-level distribution would guarantee that supplies reach ordinary Cubans without diversion or theft.
“The direct delivery of humanitarian goods by representatives of local parishes on the island will ensure that essential U.S. assistance reaches ordinary Cubans who need it, without any opportunity for diversion or theft by the regime.”
CRS President Sean Callahan, speaking at the Miami departure ceremony, said the Cuban government had "rejected the aid" but voiced hope this would be the first of many shipments. Lewin added that the U.S. commitment to the Cuban people is "ironclad" and warned that any regime interference would trigger accountability measures.
“The regime rejected the aid.”
Political tensions and the aid pledge
Rubio’s $100 million offer, made in May 2026 and equivalent to 87.7 million euros, followed a worsening energy crisis that began on the island in mid-2024. The situation deteriorated from January 2026 when the U.S. tightened its oil blockade on Cuba, a step the UN has called contrary to international law. Havana initially dismissed the aid pledge as a "fable" but later indicated willingness to hear details, even as the Rubio-led State Department maintained its criticism of the communist government for obstructing distribution.
Earlier assistance and regional support
Washington had already provided humanitarian aid after Hurricane Melissa struck roughly a year ago, with an initial package announced in November 2025. In February 2026, as bilateral tensions rose, Rubio signalled an increase in assistance while repeating demands that aid flow through the Catholic Church. Diplomatic talks between the two governments remain stalled, while Cuba continues to suffer mass blackouts and shortages of basic goods. Other nations – Mexico, Colombia and Spain – have also sent supplies to the island.