National Security and Foreign Policy

The first of three humanitarian aid ships, Granma 2.0, arrived in Havana as part of the "Our America Convoy to Cuba," carrying solar panels, bicycles, food and medicine and joining more than 650 participants from 33 countries — including Jeremy Corbyn, Clara López, Pablo Iglesias and U.S. labor leader Chris Smalls — and was received by President Miguel Díaz‑Canel; CARICOM has also pledged powdered milk, medical supplies and water tanks to be transported via Mexico free of charge. The arrival comes amid a deepening economic and energy crisis after a U.S. energy embargo ordered in late January halted imports of diesel, fuel oil, gasoline, jet fuel and LPG for about three months (Cuba now produces roughly 40% of its fuel needs), triggering island‑wide blackouts, transportation shortages, reduced work hours and flight cancellations and prompting Havana to say it is "preparing" for the possibility of U.S. military aggression following remarks by Donald Trump even as some U.S. officials emphasize diplomacy.