US sends first humanitarian aid flight to Cuba

WASHINGTON — The United States on Tuesday sent a humanitarian flight to Cuba as part of a new $100 million assistance commitment aimed at helping the Cuban people while increasing pressure on the island’s communist-run government, the State Department said.

The flight marked the first delivery under the new aid package announced by U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio in May. The program is intended to provide support directly to Cuban communities rather than the government, as Washington continues to restrict oil shipments and impose financial sanctions on the country.

Cuban officials had initially expressed concerns over the U.S. aid offer and rejected calls from Washington for political reforms. They also blamed U.S. policies for contributing to power outages and shortages. However, Cuban authorities appear to have agreed to accept the assistance following discussions with officials from the Trump administration.

The State Department said Tuesday’s shipment included food and hygiene kits that could support up to 700 families. The aid was delivered through Catholic Relief Services and followed $9 million in previous U.S. humanitarian assistance distributed through the Catholic Church.

"Building on the success of the previous program, the direct delivery of humanitarian commodities by local parish representatives in the island will ensure critical U.S. assistance reaches everyday Cubans in need, without any opportunity for regime diversion or theft," the State Department said.

The latest aid effort comes as Washington seeks to provide humanitarian support to Cuban citizens while maintaining economic and political pressure on the country’s government. -Reporting by Simon Lewis, Ryan Patrick Jones and Christian Martinez; Editing by Doina Chiacu and Daniel Wallis/Reuters