Cuba Faults US $100m Aid, Insists On Lifting Decades-long Blockade

The Government of Cuba has raised concerns over the reported efforts by the United States Government to offer the sum of $100 million in aid to Cuba, stressing that what is of paramount importance the Cuba is the lifting of the decades-long blockade imposed by the US government.

In a statement by the Cuban government made available to journalists on Saturday, Cuba said it was not clear whether the aid will be in cash or material, and whether it will be directed towards the people’s most urgent needs at this time, such as fuel, food, and medicine.

The statement said “for the first time the US Government publicly formalizes, through a communiqué from the Department of State, an offer of aid to Cuba valued at $100. However, in the light of the inconsistency of such apparent generosity- coming from those who engage in economic warfare against the Cuban people, the Cuban government does not reject foreign aid offered in good faith for genuine bilateral or multilateral cooperation.

“Nor does it have any objection to working with the Catholic Church, with which it has long and positive history of collaboration. We are willing to hear the details of the offer and how it would be implemented.”

The Cuban government also said it hopes the aid will be free of political maneuvering and attempts to exploit the hardships and suffering of a people under siege.

“The best assistance the US government could provide to the noble Cuban people at this time and at any time –is to deescalate the measures of the energy, economic , commercial , and financial blockade, which has intensified as never before in recent months, severely affecting all sectors of the Cuban economy and society,” the statement added.