Caritas starts distributing US humanitarian aid in 2 towns near Havana

HAVANA — Hundreds of boxes of humanitarian aid from the U.S. are being distributed in two towns near the Cuban capital, the Catholic Church organization in charge of the distribution said Thursday.

The aid arrived this week and its distribution began on Wednesday. It is shrouded in controversy due to the long-standing political distrust between Cuba and the U.S., and comes amid a crisis on the island exacerbated by an energy embargo imposed in January by U.S. President Donald Trump.

Caritas began distributing the boxes to unspecified parishes and religious houses in the municipalities of Bejucal and Alquízar, which border Havana, according to a statement from the organization.

The food and hygiene kits will be distributed “to the most vulnerable Cuban families,” the statement said.

Images released by the organization showed people unloading brown cardboard boxes donning the U.S. flag, while others wearing white sweatshirts with the Caritas logo handed them out to residents after checking lists and verifying their identification.

Caritas could not be immediately reached for comment.