Canada sending additional $8M to Cuba

Heather Wright has more on Canada planning to send aid to Cuba amid the U.S. oil blockade, which has caused an energy crisis in the country.

Amid the “quite grave and quite serious” humanitarian situation in Cuba, Canada is sending an additional $8 million on top of its existing support for the country, secretary of state for international development Randeep Sarai said.

Sarai made the announcement speaking to reporters on Parliament Hill Wednesday, alongside Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand.

“Canada is stepping up, as we’ve had a very trusted relationship with the people of Cuba, we’re accelerating $8 million in funding to help go directly to the people most in need,” Sarai said, adding the federal government will be working with “our trusted partners,” namely the World Food Programme and UNICEF.

“We’re hoping that it gets to those most in need, and after that, we’ll be assessing the situation ... and we can adjust our program accordingly,” he added.

READ MORE: As U.S. squeezes Cuba, Canada readies aid package

For weeks, Cuba has faced worsening shortages of electricity, fuel and basic necessities, including at resorts, because of a U.S. oil blockade.

Cuba is also experiencing its worst economic crisis in decades, while U.S. President Donald Trump threatened late last month to impose tariffs on countries sending oil to the island.

Cuba’s oil, meanwhile, comes largely from three countries: Russia, an adversary of the United States; Mexico, where the government hopes to avoid tensions with the U.S.; and Venezuela, where U.S. troops captured and deposed the president in early January.

According to the White House, the threat of slapping tariffs on imports from countries providing oil to Cuba is aimed at “countering Cuba’s malign influence,” and “putting America first.”

Asked whether the federal government is trying to placate the U.S. administration by only sending $8 million, Sarai said the funds are in addition to existing support.

In a press release Wednesday morning, the federal government said the funding is meant to “strengthen local food security and nutrition” as part of a scaled-up existing program.

When asked whether she’s had conversations with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio about Canada’s intention to send aid to Cuba, Anand said she has not.

“This is Canadian foreign policy, and we are focused, as I just said, on the humanitarian situation,” she said.

Anand would not answer when asked why she has not discussed the plan with Rubio.

READ MORE: Canadian official says Cuban regime ‘quite stable’ as U.S. oil blockade tightens grip

A spokesperson for Anand’s office, however, told CTV News that Global Affairs Canada officials have spoken with U.S. counterparts about sending aid to Cuba.

The federal government is currently advising Canadians to avoid non-essential travel to the island. All Canadian airlines have suspended service to Cuba until further notice.

With files from CTV News senior political correspondent Mike Le Couteur