WASHINGTON, D.C. May 21, 2026 – Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated firmly on Thursday that the United States will not provide humanitarian aid to Cuba if it ends up in the hands of the regime’s military-run company, GAESA, which he accused of diverting supplies for profit.
In a video message shared by the State Department, Rubio said: “We’re not going to do humanitarian aid that falls into the hands of the Cuban regime’s military company. They take that stuff and sell it at the dollar stores and put the money in their pocket. That’s not going to work that way.”
The remarks come amid Cuba’s ongoing severe humanitarian crisis, marked by prolonged blackouts, fuel shortages, food scarcity, and economic hardship. The Trump administration has offered $100 million in direct assistance—including food and medicine—to the Cuban people, with distribution to be handled by the Catholic Church and independent NGOs to ensure aid reaches civilians rather than regime entities.
Rubio, the son of Cuban immigrants, has repeatedly criticized GAESA (Grupo de Administración Empresarial S.A.), the military conglomerate that controls a significant portion of Cuba’s economy, including hotels, retail outlets, and imports. He argues that the entity prioritizes profits for regime insiders over the needs of ordinary Cubans.
The U.S. has conditioned the aid on bypassing GAESA entirely. Cuban authorities have not accepted the offer under those terms, according to U.S. officials. Rubio has also addressed the Cuban people directly in Spanish, promising a “new relationship” if the regime allows genuine humanitarian support and reforms.
This policy reflects the administration’s broader strategy of targeted pressure on the Cuban government and its military elite while attempting to support the population. Critics of the approach argue it exacerbates hardships, while supporters say it prevents aid from fueling corruption and repression.
The State Department continues to monitor the situation as Cuba faces one of its most challenging periods in decades.
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