Colombian Navy sets sail to Cuba carrying aid after hurricane Melissa

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: News websites
3 Nov 2025 23:29
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Colombia sends 240 tons of humanitarian aid to Cuba after Hurricane Melissa, with ARC Victoria delivering food, water, fuel, and emergency supplies.

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Scenes of humanitarian aid preparations by Colombia set to be delivered to Cuba published on November 3, 2025 (X/@UNGRD)

Tons of aid were being sent to Cuba by sea, Colombian President Gustavo Petro announced on Monday, following the devastating Hurricane Melissa that wreaked havoc in the region.

In a post on X, Petro wrote: "Solidarity began with Jamaica, and now the Colombian Navy is heading to Cuba, carrying dozens of tons of Colombian solidarity — food and energy."

Arrancó la solidaridad a Jamaica y ahora se va la armada de Colombia a Cuba llevando decenas de toneladas de solidaridad colombiana, alimentos, energía.

Mientras hay gobiernos que nos dejan solos, los pueblos nos abrazan. https://t.co/imHx7q3rpW
— Gustavo Petro (@petrogustavo) November 3, 2025

"While there are governments that leave us alone, the peoples embrace us," he added.

Yesterday, Colombia's government announced dispatching 240 tons of humanitarian aid to Cuba in response to the devastation caused by Hurricane Melissa.

The aid shipment, carried by the vessel ARC Victoria, departed from Cartagena de Indias on Monday and is expected to arrive in Cuban territory on Thursday. The operation is being coordinated by Colombia’s National Unit for Disaster Risk Management (UNGRD) and involves multiple government entities.

According to Carlos Carrillo, director of the UNGRD, the cargo includes food kits, hygiene supplies, mosquito nets, UHT milk, drinking water, and fuel. Of the 240 tons, 54 are dry cargo designated for immediate needs in the hardest-hit regions of Cuba.

The operation is supported by Colombia’s mining-energy and agricultural sectors, along with other state agencies, in a joint effort to respond to the disaster. Participating institutions include the Foreign Ministry, Civil Defense, Aerospace Force, National Police, and Colombian Navy, with additional backing from the Caribbean Naval Force, the Ministries of Agriculture and Energy, and state energy company Ecopetrol.

Cuba begins damage assessments following hurricane Melissa

Hurricane Melissa tore through several Caribbean nations last week, bringing winds of up to 200 kilometers per hour (about 124 mph), along with heavy rains, flooding, landslides, and communication outages.

In Cuba, government and party authorities have begun recovery operations and damage assessments. Emergency response protocols have been activated to assist affected communities.

A statement from the Cuban government read, “Following Hurricane Melissa, recovery and damage assessment efforts began in Cuba under the direction of the party and the government.”

International support, including Colombia’s contribution, is expected to play a key role in the country’s broader hurricane relief and recovery efforts.