Brazil provides aid to Cuba as US embargo continues
The Brazilian government will provide Cuba with 48 tons of powdered milk as humanitarian assistance amid worsening socioeconomic conditions on the island, which have been linked to tighter U.S. economic sanctions and restrictions on fuel supplies.
On Monday (Jul. 13), 16 tons were shipped aboard a Brazilian Air Force (FAB) flight bound for Santiago de Cuba. A second flight is scheduled to depart from Porto Alegre on Tuesday (Jul. 14) carrying an additional 32 tons of powdered milk, News.Az reports, citing Agencia Brasil.
The Planalto presidential palace said that the goal is “to help address the severe shortage the country is facing.” The operation is being coordinated by the Brazilian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Brazil had already provided humanitarian aid to Cuba in 2025 in response to the impacts of Hurricane Melissa.
“Additional donations of food and medicine are under consideration by the Brazilian government,” Secom reported.
The economic blockade against Cuba, which has lasted for nearly 70 years, was tightened by the current US administration in late 2025 following the imposition of naval restrictions on Venezuela, which until then had been the Caribbean island’s main oil supplier.
In January 2026, the United States intensified the blockade by threatening sanctions against anyone selling oil to Cuba. As a result, the country went three months without oil supplies.