Mexico will continue accepting Cuban medical workers despite US pressure

A boat carrying humanitarian aid arrived in Havana, Cuba on Tuesday, delivering medical supplies, food, and solar panels. The boat, part of a larger flotilla, departed from Mexico and faced delays due to weather and mechanical issues. The delivery is intended to alleviate the impact of a US fuel blockade that has exacerbated Cuba's energy crisis. International activists on board the boat, symbolically named "Granma 2.0," displayed signs protesting the blockade as they arrived. The initiative aims to show solidarity with the Cuban people and call for an end to the US embargo.

A boat carrying humanitarian aid arrived in Havana, Cuba on Tuesday, delivering medical supplies, food, and solar panels. The boat, part of a larger flotilla, departed from Mexico and faced delays due to weather and mechanical issues. The delivery is intended to alleviate the impact of a US fuel blockade that has exacerbated Cuba's energy crisis. International activists on board the boat, symbolically named "Granma 2.0," displayed signs protesting the blockade as they arrived. The initiative aims to show solidarity with the Cuban people and call for an end to the US embargo.

Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum affirmed that Mexico will continue its agreement to receive Cuban medical workers, who often serve in underserved rural areas. This decision comes despite pressure from the United States, which passed a law in February that opens the door to sanctions on countries participating in the Cuban medical program. The US alleges the program involves coerced labor and seeks to isolate Cuba. Sheinbaum stated the agreement benefits Mexico, as Cuban doctors are willing to work in rural areas where Mexican doctors are less likely to go. Several other Latin American countries have ended their participation in the program. The Cuban government views the program as a sign of solidarity and a source of revenue.

A humanitarian aid flotilla organized by activists arrived in Cuba on Tuesday, delivering food, medicine, solar panels, and bicycles. The "Nuestra America" convoy, originating from Mexico, aims to provide support amid a worsening energy crisis attributed to a US blockade. Activists describe the aid as a small gesture of solidarity intended to highlight the impact of US energy restrictions, which they say have severely limited petroleum imports. The arrival of the "Granma 2.0" vessel, with two others en route, coincides with increased US pressure on Cuba, including discussions of regime change and stricter energy limitations. Over 650 participants from 33 countries were greeted by President Miguel Díaz-Canel upon arrival in Cuba last weekend.

In March 2026, an aid flotilla reached Cuba to deliver food and medical supplies. The arrival comes as Cuba faces severe fuel shortages and widespread blackouts. A US-imposed oil blockade is cited as the cause of the shortages. Activists organized the flotilla as part of a growing international effort to provide support to the island nation. The aid aims to alleviate the hardship caused by the ongoing fuel crisis.

Cuba experienced its second nationwide blackout in less than a week on Saturday, and the third in March, after a generating unit failed at the Nuevitas thermoelectric plant. The Cuban Electric Union attributed the cascading failure to this unexpected event. The blackouts, impacting the island's 9.6 million residents, have left streets dark and disrupted daily life, with some areas experiencing outages of up to 15 hours. Authorities are working to restore power, prioritizing vital centers like hospitals. The Cuban government cites a US-imposed energy blockade as a contributing factor to the strained power network.

A nationwide blackout has plunged Cuba into darkness, affecting over 10 million residents and businesses. The power outage, reported by the BBC's Will Grant from Havana, is due to the collapse of the country's national electrical grid. Cuba has experienced multiple blackouts this month, which are attributed to chronic fuel shortages and an aging electricity infrastructure. The fuel shortages are reportedly exacerbated by a US fuel blockade that restricts foreign oil imports needed to operate power stations. The Communist-run island nation is struggling to maintain a stable power supply amid these challenges.

Cuba experienced a nationwide power grid collapse on Saturday, March 21, 2026, leaving the entire island without electricity for the third time in March. The state-owned Cuban Electric Union reported the total blackout but did not specify the cause. Restoration efforts are underway. The blackouts are attributed to the country's decaying infrastructure and a U.S.-imposed oil blockade, creating challenges for the communist government. Residents of Havana were photographed spending the night in darkness along the Malecon seawall.

Cuba is recovering from its latest nationwide blackout, the second in a week and third in March, which affected millions, including hospitals in Havana. The blackouts are attributed to failures in the country's aging power grid, exacerbated by a shutdown at the Nuevitas thermoelectric plant. This comes amidst a US oil blockade, initiated after the US cut off oil supplies to Cuba after abducting Venezuela’s President Maduro, which Cuba says is pushing its economy to the brink. In response to recent threats from US President Trump to take over the island, Cuba's Deputy Foreign Minister stated the nation is prepared for any potential US military aggression, though they don't believe it is probable. The US has warned potential oil exporters to Cuba that they could face high tariffs.

Amidst an oil blockade imposed by the US, Cuba is preparing for a potential military engagement with the United States, according to Deputy Foreign Minister Carlos Fernandez de Cossio. His statement follows escalating rhetoric from former US President Donald Trump, who suggested he would have the "honour" of taking over Cuba. De Cossio stated that while Cuba does not believe military action is probable, they are preparing as a precaution. He also refuted reports that the US is seeking to negotiate the structure or members of the Cuban government, emphasizing that regime change is not on the table in discussions with the US. Despite the heightened tensions, the top US general overseeing forces in Latin America stated that the US military is not actively preparing to invade Cuba.

Cuban Deputy Foreign Minister Carlos Fernández de Cossío stated that Cuba is preparing for potential military aggression from the U.S., despite recent signals from the Trump administration suggesting otherwise. Fernández de Cossío emphasized that Cuba hopes military action will not occur but feels it is necessary to prepare given global circumstances. His remarks follow President Trump's comments about "taking Cuba" and Secretary of State Rubio's focus on diplomacy. Cuba opposes regime change and asserts its right to sovereignty and self-determination. Fernández de Cossío stated that Cuba does not know what the U.S. is talking about when it says it will "take Cuba in some form."