According to information published on official Cuban channels, the shipment of 1.193 tons mainly includes food and other necessities.
Cuban Deputy Foreign Minister Josefina Vidal Ferreiro came to welcome and said this was part of the support commitment made by Mexico in the context of Havana describing the current economic situation as "complex", related to tightening sanctions and energy restrictions that Cuba believes originate from the US.
In a statement, the Mexican Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the two ships departed from Veracruz port on February 24.
The ARM Papaloapan ship transported 1,078 tons of cargo, including beans and milk powder. Meanwhile, the ARM Huasteco ship carried 92 tons of beans and 23 tons of mixed food. The Mexican government said that these 23 tons of humanitarian goods were contributed by many social organizations, with the support of the Mexico City government through a receiving point located in the Historical Center area, and this is the first handover.
Previously, two other ships of the Mexican Navy also arrived in Cuba with a total of about 800 tons of aid. On February 8, 2026, these two ships left the port of Veracruz, carrying more than 814 tons of humanitarian goods, including liquid milk, milk powder, rice, beans, sardines, tuna, vegetable oil and personal hygiene products.
After the shipment arrived at Havana port, the Cuban Ministry of Domestic Trade said that distribution will prioritize children from 0 to 13 years old, people over 65 years old, pregnant women, as well as malnourished or stunted children. Localities expected to be allocated include Artemisa, Havana, Mayabeque and the Isla de la Juventud special zone.
However, many opinions have appeared on social networks expressing concern about the distribution criteria. At Mayabeque, which announced the receipt of 43 tons of food including rice, sardines, biscuits and canned fruits, some people asked why aid is limited to only a few vulnerable groups.
Comments like "So what about the rest?" reflect the mood of a part of the population who believe that they are also facing the same economic difficulties and food shortages but are not eligible for support.
These reactions show the difference between official information about the distribution targets and the perceptions of some people about the actual impact of aid, in the context that Cuba continues to face prolonged power outages, inflation and difficulties in accessing essential goods.
