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<a class="gmail-domain gmail-reader-domain" href="https://resumen-english.org/2026/08/7000-shipments-of-humanitarian-aid-to-cuba-are-stranded-by-us-blockade-in-caribbean-ports/">resumen-english.org</a>
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<h1 class="gmail-reader-title">7,000 Shipments of Humanitarian Aid to Cuba are Stranded by US Blockade in Caribbean Ports</h1>
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<p>August 2, 2026 from Madrid</p>
<p><img src="https://i0.wp.com/resumen-english.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/8-5MESC-1-1.jpg?resize=285%2C300&ssl=1" alt="" width="285" height="300"></p><p>The
Spanish Movement of Solidarity with Cuba (MESC) has denounced in a
statement the blocking of containers and increased freight costs for
donations destined for Cuba.<span id="gmail-more-36020"></span></p>
<p>According to Prensa Latina, which obtained the statement, the MESC
specifically referred to two containers of humanitarian aid, one from
the Catalan solidarity coordinator Defensem Cuba and the other from the
NGO Sodepaz.</p>
<p>In this regard, the MESC denounced the unjustified withholding of two
shipments of aid destined for Cuba, sent from Catalonia and Madrid, by
decision of two international shipping companies, fearful of being
sanctioned from the United States government.</p>
<p>Both shipments have been blocked for more than two weeks in Caribbean
ports, preventing their arrival in Santiago de Cuba, the source
specified.</p>
<p>The Spanish Ministry of Higher Education, Culture and Sport (MESC)
also detailed that one of the containers holds mattresses and other
essential goods destined for those affected by Hurricane Melissa in
eastern Cuba.</p>
<p>The other carries 3.5 million syringes and hypodermic needles for the public health system in Santiago de Cuba.</p>
<p>\u201cThe organizations responsible for the shipment are working to secure
the immediate release of both containers and are studying appropriate
legal action in light of the serious damage caused,\u201d the Ministry
reported.</p>
<p>In the statement, MESC emphasized that this is not an isolated
incident. \u201cIt adds to the growing difficulties Cuba faces in receiving
essential goods,\u201d it noted.</p>
<p>According to data recently released by Cuban authorities, approximately <strong>7,000
shipments of medicine, medical equipment, food, and other supplies
remain stranded in Caribbean ports, affected by the restrictions
stemming from the White House embargo.</strong></p>
<p>In another part of its statement, the Ministry of Economy and Social
Cooperation (MESC) explained that the actions of certain shipping
companies \u201cdemonstrate their collaboration with the extraterritorial
application of the blockade, despite the fact that European Union
legislation itself includes mechanisms to protect European companies
from US sanctions.\u201d</p>
<p>As a result, many shipments are being diverted to third countries,
increasing transit times and freight costs, with a direct impact on
Cuba\u2019s supply, it added.</p>
<p>\u201cThe MESC denounces that these measures even affect humanitarian aid
and essential medical supplies, directly harming the Cuban population.
The blockade not only aims to strangle the country\u2019s economy but also to
obstruct international solidarity among nations,\u201d it concluded.</p>
<p>Ana Ruiz Alonso, a Catalan activist with Defensem Cuba, expressed her
surprise upon learning two weeks ago that the container she had sent,
along with hundreds of others, had been abandoned in the port of
Kingston, Jamaica.</p>
<p>\u201cThe only way to resolve the issue is to return it\u2014in our case, to
Barcelona\u2014to unload it, return the container, and start from scratch, at
an additional cost of 20,000 euros,\u201d Ruiz Alonso stated.</p>
<p>\u201cThe same applies to Sodepaz\u2019s shipment of three and a half million
syringes intended for humanitarian aid to the Santiago de Cuba area\u201d,
she added.</p>
<p>Source: <a href="https://www.prensa-latina.cu/2026/08/02/denuncian-en-espana-bloqueo-a-contenedores-hacia-cuba/">Prensa Latina</a>, translation Ed Newman, Radio Havana Cuba</p>
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