The “Our America Convoy to Cuba” began landing in Havana as organizers dispatched an international group to deliver humanitarian aid to a country grappling with a severe energy crisis, according to the Associated Press. The convoy’s organizers said about 650 delegates from 33 countries and 120 organizations started arriving Friday as part of a “solidarity caravan” transporting some 20 tons of aid, with additional arrivals planned by sea the following day.
Organizers said members of the convoy arrived by air from Italy, France, Spain, the United States and several Latin American countries. They added that more delegates were scheduled to arrive Saturday as part of a flotilla of three vessels from Mexico, with organizers describing the sea leg as an extension of the caravan’s delivery effort.
AP reported that activists had arrived in Havana earlier, on Wednesday, and delivered donations directly to hospitals. Among the products donated to Cuba, organizers said, were solar panels and food and medicine—including medicine intended to treat cancer—at a time when the country’s infrastructure has been strained by the energy crisis, AP said.
The convoy’s arrival comes as tensions have remained elevated between Cuba and the United States. AP said U.S. officials have acknowledged holding talks after U.S. President Donald Trump imposed an oil embargo, and noted Trump had said earlier this week that he expected to have the “honor” of “taking Cuba in some form,” adding: “I can do anything I want.”
In an effort to frame the humanitarian effort as independent of political negotiation, Cuban Deputy Foreign Minister Carlos Fernández de Cossío on Friday refuted comments suggesting a change in Cuba’s political system or the potential departure of President Miguel Díaz-Canel could be part of the ongoing talks. Fernández de Cossío said: “The Cuban political system is not up for negotiation, nor is the president, nor the position of any official in Cuba, subject to negotiation with the United States or with the government of any other country.” He said dialogue with Washington was still possible in areas of common interest and cited past engagement on such topics.
One of the caravan’s U.S.-based organizers, David Adler—described by AP as a U.S. citizen and coordinator of Progressive International—said the delegation represented people beyond the trip itself and argued against what he called collective punishment. Adler said: “In the end, we are dozens and dozens of delegates, and we represent millions of people in this convoy,” and added, “We cannot allow this collective punishment. We cannot normalize it.”
AP also quoted Manolo de los Santos of The People’s Forum, another of the convoy’s organizers, who said going to Cuba at this time was not only “defying the U.S. blockade,” but also preventing what he called “another Gaza in the Americas.” AP reported that analysts and regional leaders, including Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum, have warned of a possible humanitarian crisis in Cuba.
The Associated Press said the convoy includes activists and a mix of unions, prominent figures, and political parties represented in different countries, including Morena from Mexico, the Workers’ Party of Brazil and the Broad Front of Uruguay. AP listed some of the individuals named as taking part, including British Parliamentarian Jeremy Corbyn, Colombian Senator Clara López, former Spanish politician Pablo Iglesias, U.S. labor leader Chris Smalls, and Brazilian humanitarian activist Thiago Ávila.
In the lead-up to the convoy, AP reported that for several weeks Cuba received aid largely from Mexico, which sent food and hygiene products on three occasions. Activists and leaders in other countries began building support groups and collecting donations after that period, AP said.
Cuba’s president, Miguel Díaz-Canel, expressed gratitude on social media. AP quoted him as saying: “They bring shipments of aid to combat the attempt to suffocate us. Welcome once again to the compassion of the people. Solidarity always returns to those who practice it with no other interest than human well-being.”
Beyond the delegation arriving for the convoy, AP said Brazil announced it would send 20,000 tons of food—primarily rice, beans and powdered milk. AP also reported that Chilean parliamentarians arrived with aid on Thursday and that China reported through its embassy that a ship carrying 60,000 tons of rice set sail for Cuba.