Humanitarian aid ship from Mexico docks in Havana as US-Cuba tensions escalate

A ship laden with humanitarian aid from the governments of Mexico and Uruguay arrived Monday in Havana to help ease Cuba's spiraling crises, Report informs via the AP News.

The ship, which departed from a Mexican port, includes personal hygiene items and 1,700 tons of grains, powdered milk and other food items, according to a statement published by Cuban state media.

Cuba's food industry minister, Alberto López Díaz, said the items arrive "at a time of great economic hardship, exacerbated by the tightening of the blockade imposed on our country by the United States government."

Tensions between the two countries have risen, with the US ratcheting up pressure as it seeks an indictment against former Cuban President Raúl Castro over his alleged role in the 1996 downing of four planes operated by the Miami-based exile group Brothers to the Rescue. Castro was defense minister at the time.

López Díaz said in a statement that Monday's aid would be distributed "with the utmost responsibility and respect," prioritizing children, the elderly and vulnerable families.

Unlike other shipments publicized by Mexico's government as a show of solidarity toward their Caribbean ally, Mexican authorities have said very little about Monday's shipment, which arrived after weeks of heightened tensions with the US government.