The U.S. Secretary of State, Marco Rubio, has assured that Cuba has accepted an offer of $100 million in humanitarian aid from the United States, an announcement that comes in a context of high political tension between the two countries and growing pressure from Washington on the island.
According to Rubio, the package includes food and medicine intended to alleviate the severe economic and energy crisis that Cuba is going through, although he has insisted that the delivery must be carried out without the intermediation of the Cuban government.
"They say they have accepted it. We'll see if that means it's going to work," the Secretary of State said at a press conference.
Conditional Aid
The U.S. Administration has made it clear that the aid will not be channeled through Cuban state structures, which it accuses of controlling the distribution of basic resources on the island.
Rubio has particularly criticized the state-owned company GAESA, linked to the country's military economic apparatus, assuring that Washington will not allow the funds or supplies to end up under its management.
According to his proposal, the aid must reach "directly the Cuban people," avoiding any participation of the Havana Executive.
Cuba's Response: "We have not refused"
Cuban authorities have publicly maintained that they have never rejected the U.S. offer, framing Washington's announcement as part of a broader political strategy of pressure on the island.
The Cuban Foreign Minister, Bruno Rodríguez, has accused the Secretary of State of maintaining a "cynical" stance and has reiterated that Cuba has not blocked the reception of humanitarian aid.
The announcement of the alleged acceptance of aid comes in parallel to a new diplomatic escalation between the two countries.
In recent days, Washington has hardened its discourse against the Cuban government, while U.S. President Donald Trump has publicly defended a strategy of direct support to the population and political change on the island.
In recent statements, Trump has assured that his administration seeks a "negotiated and peaceful" approach, although he has also spoken of "liberating Cuba" within the framework of his political narrative towards the Havana regime.
Indictment of Raúl Castro
The political climate has become even more tense following the decision by the US justice system to indict former Cuban President Raúl Castro in connection with a 1996 attack against aircraft of the organization "Brothers to the Rescue".
This judicial move has reactivated old tensions between the Cuban exile community in the United States and the island's government, adding a new front to the already complex bilateral relationship.