China Saves Cuba from Starvation While Washington Strangles the Island

Strategic and Political Assistance

China’s food aid to Cuba cannot be viewed solely as a humanitarian effort. It is part of a broader geopolitical strategy by Beijing aimed at strengthening its influence in the Western Hemisphere and countering U.S. hegemony. Chinese Ambassador to Cuba Hua Xin stated during the ceremony to hand over the first shipment of rice that this assistance “not only embodies the deep and special friendship between China and Cuba, but also demonstrates the firm conviction of both sides to remain united in the face of storms and challenges.” He added that he was confident that, through joint efforts, no blockade could extinguish the light of hope and no difficulty could halt the march forward.

This diplomatic rhetoric masks significant stakes. For China, Cuba represents a strategic ally in the Caribbean, a potential bridgehead for expanding its influence in Latin America and challenging U.S. dominance in what Washington traditionally considers its “backyard.” Food aid also serves as an instrument of soft power, allowing China to present itself as a reliable and generous partner, in contrast to what it portrays as the coercive policies of the United States. This assistance complements other forms of cooperation between the two countries, particularly in the energy sector, where both sides have engaged in “extensive cooperation… making rapid and effective progress,” in the words of the Cuban Deputy Prime Minister.

I have mixed feelings about China’s intervention. On the one hand, I’m glad that Cuba has found an ally capable of helping it overcome this crisis. When I see Beijing coming to Havana’s aid, I can’t help but think it’s a form of poetic justice: after decades of U.S. isolation, Cuba is finding support from the world’s new superpower. But on the other hand, I remain realistic. China is not a charity, and its aid is not selfless. Beijing sees Cuba as a pawn on the global geopolitical chessboard, a means of challenging American influence in its own sphere. This is the game of the great powers, and Cuba once again finds itself caught in the crossfire. What strikes me is that the Cuban people seem to have no choice but to choose between two forms of dependence: depending on American goodwill or depending on Chinese aid. Neither seems to offer a truly sustainable solution.

The Energy Dimensions of Cooperation

Sino-Cuban cooperation extends far beyond food aid and touches on critical sectors such as energy. With the halt in Venezuelan shipments having created a dramatic energy shortage, Cuba is actively seeking alternatives to keep its power plants running and ensure the mobility of its vehicles. Mexico has emerged in recent weeks as an alternative oil supplier for the island, but the volume of this assistance remains limited. Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum stated that her country had not increased supply volumes but had become a “major supplier” of crude oil to Cuba in light of recent political events in Venezuela.

China, for its part, could play a growing role in Cuba’s energy sector. The two countries have already “engaged in extensive cooperation in areas such as energy, making rapid and effective progress,” according to Cuban Deputy Prime Minister Oscar Perez-Oliva Fraga. This cooperation could take various forms: investments in Cuban energy infrastructure, the supply of equipment, technical assistance, or even direct shipments of oil or refined products. At a time when the United States is seeking to isolate Cuba energetically, Chinese support in this area is of crucial strategic importance to Havana.

Energy is life. Without electricity, there are no functioning hospitals, no schools, no industries, and no commerce. Quite simply, there is no modern life. When I think of those Cubans who spend hours every day in the dark, who don’t know when they’ll be able to turn on the lights, run their refrigerators, or charge their phones, it makes me angry. It is unacceptable in the 21st century for people to be deprived of access to electricity because of political games. China seems to understand this reality and is seeking to help Cuba regain energy independence. I hope this cooperation will lead to concrete results, so that Cubans will no longer have to choose between having light and having food, between heating their homes and getting around. Energy must be a right, not a political bargaining chip.

The Failure of the State-Run Agricultural Model

The food crisis Cuba is currently facing is a direct result of the failure of the state-run agricultural model established after the 1959 revolution. After decades of official rhetoric about “food sovereignty,” the reality is that Cuba now depends almost entirely on imports and foreign aid to secure its supply of staple foods. Rice, a staple of the Cuban diet, perfectly illustrates this situation: local production has collapsed, despite the island’s favorable climate and fertile soil, and Cuba must now import nearly all of the rice it consumes.

The causes of this failure are numerous and well documented. The Cuban agricultural model suffers from excessive centralization that stifles individual initiative, a lack of incentives for producers, a chronic shortage of inputs (seeds, fertilizer, fuel, machinery), and paralyzing bureaucracy. State-run farms, which are supposed to be the backbone of agricultural production, have proven ineffective and incapable of meeting the population’s needs. Meanwhile, the private sector—which could bring dynamism and innovation—remains constrained by strict restrictions and insufficient access to resources. This situation has transformed Cuba, which was once self-sufficient in many products, into a country dependent on international aid to feed its population.

It’s an absurd tragedy. Cuba has everything it needs to feed its people: rich soil, an ideal climate, skilled farmers, and long-standing agricultural traditions. And yet, the country imports most of its food. I’ve seen images of abandoned Cuban farms, fertile land left fallow due to a lack of tools and seeds. It drives me crazy to see such waste. It’s not the farmers’ fault—it’s political decisions made in Havana that have led to this situation. Centralization, control, and ideology have taken precedence over the people’s actual needs. And today, it is the people who are suffering, who depend on foreign aid to put food on the table. It’s a cruel lesson: ideology doesn’t feed anyone. Only work, production, and economic freedom can enable a country to feed its children.

The Regime’s Controversial Proposals

Faced with this major food crisis, Cuban authorities have recently put forward proposals that have sparked controversy and confusion. Cuban officials have suggested taking advantage of the current shortage to “stop eating foods like rice and potatoes, which are foreign to the national culture”—a statement that has provoked disbelief and anger among many Cubans. Rice and potatoes have been part of the Cuban diet for centuries, and their consumption is deeply rooted in the island’s culinary traditions.

This proposal has been strongly criticized by many observers and by the population itself. Economists have demonstrated that official claims about the “excessive consumption” of rice in Cuba are false, pointing instead to the historic decline in the availability of this grain. Comedians and commentators have mocked this official rhetoric, highlighting the absurdity of suggesting that Cubans give up foods that are an integral part of their cultural identity. Ulises Toirac, a well-known Cuban commentator, lashed out against this official call: “In this country, people don’t choose what they’re going to eat,” he stated, highlighting the reality of shortages and the lack of choice for the population.

When I heard these remarks from the Cuban authorities suggesting that people stop eating rice and potatoes because they are foods “foreign to the national culture,” I thought it was a joke. It makes no sense at all. Rice—rice has been part of the Cuban soul for centuries, since colonial times. It’s like telling the French to stop eating bread, the Italians to stop eating pasta, or the Japanese to stop eating rice. It’s denying history, denying culture, denying a people’s identity. And beyond the cultural absurdity, it’s an insult to intelligence. Cubans don’t eat rice by choice; they eat rice because it’s what’s available, because it’s what they’re given. To suggest that the problem is that they eat too much rice is to try to divert attention from the regime’s true responsibility for this catastrophe.

Between Resilience and Despair

The Cuban people are facing this multidimensional crisis with a complex mix of resilience, frustration, and hope. Alberto Jimenez, a farmer’s market vendor in Havana, expressed the sentiment of many Cubans when he said that the U.S. threat did not scare him: “It doesn’t scare me. Not at all. The Cuban people are ready for anything.” This determination not to yield to external pressure reflects a national identity forged by six decades of confrontation with the United States and an unshakable pride in having survived immense hardships.

But this resilience has its limits, and despair is gaining ground. Maria Elena Sabina, a 58-year-old resident of Havana, expressed a sense of urgency shared by many: “There’s no electricity here, no gasoline, not even propane. There’s nothing here. So yes, change is needed—change is needed, and fast.” This heartfelt cry illustrates the exhaustion of a population that has endured years of deprivation and sees no light at the end of the tunnel. The massive exodus of Cubans to the United States and other countries over the past five years is a testament to this despair: hundreds of thousands of people have chosen to leave everything behind and risk their lives at sea rather than remain in conditions that have become unbearable.

What moves me most about this story is the dignity of the Cuban people in the face of adversity. When I hear Alberto Jimenez say that the American threat does not frighten him, that the Cuban people are ready for anything, I sense that quiet strength, that stubborn resilience that has allowed Cuba to survive it all. This isn’t romantic heroism; it’s the reality of people clinging to their homeland, their identity, and their pride despite the hardships. But when I hear Maria Elena pleading for change—“and fast”—I feel the full pain of a population that has reached its breaking point. That is the essence of the Cuban tragedy: a proud and resilient people forced to choose between loyalty to their country and the desire to live a normal life. No people should ever have to make that choice. It is an injustice that revolts me to my very core.

Divisions Within Cuban Society

The current crisis has also exacerbated existing divisions within Cuban society. On one side are those who support the regime and view the current difficulties as the result of U.S. hostility and economic sanctions. For this segment of the population, resisting U.S. pressure is a matter of national dignity and sovereignty. Chinese aid shipments are seen as proof that Cuba is not isolated and that the regime can count on loyal allies during this ordeal.

On the other hand, a growing segment of the population blames the government for its handling of the crisis and is calling for radical changes. These critics point to the failure of the economic model, corruption, bureaucratic inefficiency, and the refusal to implement necessary reforms as the main causes of the current difficulties. For them, foreign aid shipments—whether from China or other countries—are merely temporary Band-Aids that do not solve the country’s structural problems. This division is reflected in everyday conversations, in family debates, and in the mounting frustrations faced with a situation that seems to have no way out.

This division within Cuban society reminds me of other crises I have observed elsewhere. When a country sinks into hardship, people look for someone to blame. Some blame an external enemy; others blame their own government. Both are right, in a way. U.S. sanctions are real; they have a devastating impact on the Cuban economy. But the Cuban regime also bears enormous responsibility for this situation: disastrous economic decisions, a refusal to implement reforms, and endemic corruption. What is sad is that this division prevents dialogue and hinders the search for solutions. Cubans are united in their suffering, but divided in their analyses and hopes. This is a recipe for stagnation, at a time when the country desperately needs change and renewal.

Possible Scenarios

Cuba’s future remains uncertain, with several possible scenarios depending on how the domestic and international situations unfold. The most optimistic scenario would see Cuba successfully navigate this period of crisis with the help of its allies, particularly China, while undertaking the economic reforms necessary to revive domestic production and reduce its dependence on foreign aid. This scenario would require a genuine political will for change, greater economic openness, and the implementation of incentives for the private sector and agricultural producers.

A more pessimistic scenario would see Cuba sink deeper into crisis, as foreign aid proves insufficient to offset the impact of U.S. sanctions and the failure of the economic model. In this case, shortages would worsen, the exodus of the population would intensify, and the country could face growing social instability. The U.S. administration, for its part, could continue to ramp up pressure in the hope of bringing about regime change in Havana—a strategy that has failed for decades but may seem more promising to some U.S. officials given the severity of the current crisis.

When I look to Cuba’s future, I feel a deep sense of unease. The country is at a crossroads, and the choices made in the coming months and years will determine the fate of millions of Cubans. The optimistic scenario seems difficult but not impossible to me: Cuba has survived terrible crises in the past, its people have an astonishing capacity for resilience, and international aid can provide a lifeline. But the pessimistic scenario haunts me: one in which Cuba sinks further into crisis, where people flee en masse, and where society tears itself apart. I believe the key is for Cubans themselves to be able to decide their future, free from external interference and internal oppression. It is a difficult ideal to achieve, but it is the only one that can offer the Cuban people a dignified future.

The Role of the International Community

The international community has a crucial role to play in resolving the Cuban crisis. On the one hand, Cuba’s allies—such as China, Russia, Vietnam, and other nations—can continue to provide humanitarian and economic aid that will enable the island to survive this difficult period. This aid is essential to prevent a major humanitarian catastrophe and to give the Cuban government the time and resources needed to undertake the reforms the country requires.

On the other hand, the international community also has a responsibility to pressure the United States to ease its sanctions policy against Cuba. The U.S. blockade, which has lasted for more than six decades, has been condemned repeatedly by the United Nations General Assembly. Many countries, including some traditional U.S. allies, have expressed their opposition to this policy, which they consider counterproductive and harmful to the civilian population. Concerted action by the international community could encourage Washington to reconsider its approach and seek constructive rather than coercive solutions.

I firmly believe that the international community cannot remain passive in the face of this crisis. Humanitarian aid from China and other countries is crucial, of course, but it is not enough. What is needed is a change in U.S. policy—an end to this embargo that has been stifling Cuba for far too long. I understand the political differences between Washington and Havana, but I cannot accept that civilian populations should bear the brunt of them. This is a matter of morality and humanity. The world must say enough is enough—enough of punishing the innocent, enough of using hunger and disease as political weapons. Cuba deserves a chance to develop freely, without pressure or interference. Only then will the Cuban people be able to build the future they deserve.

Lessons from the Current Crisis

The crisis Cuba is currently facing offers important lessons for the future. First, it demonstrates the limitations of an overly centralized and inefficient economic model that fails to meet the basic needs of the population. Cuba’s dependence on imports and foreign aid to feed its people is the direct result of years of agricultural and economic policies that have failed to create a sustainable and self-sufficient system. Second, it illustrates the devastating impact of economic sanctions on civilian populations, who bear the brunt of the consequences even though they bear no responsibility for political conflicts.

Third, this crisis reveals the complexity of international alliances and how smaller nations can be caught between major powers in their geopolitical games. Cuba now finds itself dependent on Chinese aid to survive, while facing maximum pressure from the United States. This precarious situation underscores the need for small countries to diversify their partnerships and develop their strategic autonomy to avoid being subject to the whims of the great powers.

What remains with me from this analysis of the Cuban crisis is a feeling of deep sadness mixed with hope. Sadness because I have seen a country with such great potential reduced to begging for food, a proud people reduced to depending on international charity to survive. Sadness because this catastrophe was not inevitable; it is the result of human political decisions, national pride, and cold geopolitical calculations. But also hope because, despite everything, Cuba is still standing. Its people are resisting, holding on, and refusing to give up. Chinese aid is a sign that Cuba is not alone in this ordeal. I hope this crisis will serve as a wake-up call, that lessons will be learned, and that Cuba will finally be able to get back on its feet and build a future where its children will no longer need to depend on anyone else for food. That is my wish for this Caribbean island that has touched me so deeply.