The United States Government reiterated this Wednesday an offer of additional humanitarian aid of 100 million dollars for Cuba, amid the worsening of the energy and economic crisis facing the island and while the Cuban regime blames Washington for the blackouts and fuel shortages.
The State Department reported in a statement that the assistance would be intended directly for the Cuban people and would be channeled through the Catholic Church and other independent humanitarian organizations.
“The decision to accept our offer of help or deny vital, life-saving assistance rests with the Cuban regime,” said the US diplomatic portfolio, headed by Secretary of State, Marco Rubio.
Washington also stated that the regime must “be accountable to the Cuban people” if it blocks the entry of humanitarian aid at a time marked by prolonged blackouts and the deterioration of basic services on the island.
Rejection
The State Department maintained that it will continue to promote “significant reforms of the Cuban communist system” and accused the regime of preventing the population from receiving international support.
According to the statement, the Cuban regime “has only served to enrich the elites and condemn the Cuban people to poverty.”
The assistance proposal also includes support for free, high-speed satellite internet service, Washington said.
The US offer comes amid growing protests in different sectors of Cuba over blackouts, food shortages and deteriorating living conditions.
Tension grows on the island
The new offer of humanitarian aid occurs while Cuba faces one of its worst energy crises in years, with blackouts lasting several hours a day in numerous provinces and growing demonstrations of social unrest.
In recent months, Cuban citizens have staged protests in different locations on the island to demand electricity, improvements in basic services and solutions to the economic deterioration.
