UN seeks agreement with U.S. to facilitate humanitarian fuel to Cuba
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Representatives of the United Nations are holding talks with the United States government to facilitate the shipment of fuel for humanitarian purposes to Cuba, amid the serious energy crisis facing the island as a result of the oil embargo imposed by President Donald Trump, the spokesperson for the Secretary-General of the organization, Stéphane Dujarric, reported this Tuesday.
During a press conference, Dujarric explained that the organization is in talks with several member states, including Washington, to ensure that the aid can arrive without obstacles. Among the efforts is the possibility of allowing access to fuel intended to sustain essential humanitarian operations.
When asked about the details of the negotiations, the spokesperson stressed that dialogue with the U.S. government is a key avenue for trying to resolve the situation. He indicated that the organization hopes these talks will lead to a solution that facilitates the delivery of necessary resources to the island.
Before addressing the diplomatic efforts, Dujarric warned about the deteriorating conditions in the Cuban healthcare system. According to the official, the situation in the Caribbean nation is approaching a critical point. Hospitals face frequent power outages and a marked shortage of medicines, which severely affect emergency services and care for pediatric, maternal, and cancer patients.
Data presented by the spokesperson shows that approximately 60,000 cancer patients requiring radiotherapy and another 12,000 needing chemotherapy are unable to receive treatment normally due to power outages and a lack of resources in healthcare facilities.
The energy crisis is also impacting other basic services. The supply of drinking water and food distribution are increasingly compromised by fuel shortages. “Nearly one million people depend on water delivered by tanker trucks,” which require fuel to operate, while more than 80% of pumping systems rely on electricity, leading to prolonged outages.
For his part, the UN Resident Coordinator in Havana, Francisco Pichón, stated that efforts are underway to ensure the continued operation of essential services for vulnerable individuals and groups. He explained that UN agencies’ access to fuel remains severely limited due to the energy situation.
The official warned that the operational capacity of the United Nations humanitarian response depends directly on the availability of energy and fuel, resources that are currently scarce, and asserted that “the solidarity the country requires at a time like this is urgent.”
Pichón added that he also discussed the situation with UN Secretary-General António Guterres, with whom he analyzed the need to support efforts aimed at guaranteeing access to fuel under control and traceability mechanisms that ensure its final humanitarian destination.
The energy and economic crisis facing Cuba is a product of the prolonged economic, commercial, and financial blockade imposed by the United States for decades, a policy that has been tightened in recent months with new restrictions that have limited the country’s access to international financing, fuel, and essential supplies. (Taken from: RHC / Source: teleSUR)
