TORONTO — Canada said on Monday it was working on an aid package for Cuba as it grapples with blackouts and severe fuel shortages after Washington moved to choke off the island’s oil supplies.“We are preparing a plan to assist. We are not prepared at this point to provide any details of the announcement,” Foreign Minister Anita Anand said.Cuba is facing an increasingly dire energy crisis that has heightened in recent weeks after oil shipments from Venezuela, its main oil supplier, were halted when the US attacked the South American country in early January and arrested its leader. Mexico, another major supplier, then also suspended oil shipments under US pressure.Air Canada and other airlines have canceled flights to the Caribbean island because of a shortage of aviation fuel on the island.Washington has escalated a pressure campaign against the Communist-run island and long-time US foe in recent weeks.The UN has warned that if Cuba’s energy needs are not met, it could cause a humanitarian crisis. Canada said last week it was monitoring the situation in Cuba and was concerned about “the increasing risk of a humanitarian crisis” there.Emboldened by the US military’s seizure of ousted Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro in a deadly raid in January, President Donald Trump has repeatedly talked of acting against Cuba and pressuring its leadership.Washington and Ottawa have also had tensions under Trump over issues like trade tariffs, Trump’s rhetoric towards Greenland, Ottawa’s attempt to warm ties with Beijing and Prime Minister Mark Carney’s remarks that “middle powers” should act together to avoid being victimized by US hegemony. — AgenciesTORONTO — Canada said on Monday it was working on an aid package for Cuba as it grapples with blackouts and severe fuel shortages after Washington moved to choke off the island’s oil supplies.“We are preparing a plan to assist. We are not prepared at this point to provide any details of the announcement,” Foreign Minister Anita Anand said.Cuba is facing an increasingly dire energy crisis that has heightened in recent weeks after oil shipments from Venezuela, its main oil supplier, were halted when the US attacked the South American country in early January and arrested its leader. Mexico, another major supplier, then also suspended oil shipments under US pressure.Air Canada and other airlines have canceled flights to the Caribbean island because of a shortage of aviation fuel on the island.Washington has escalated a pressure campaign against the Communist-run island and long-time US foe in recent weeks.The UN has warned that if Cuba’s energy needs are not met, it could cause a humanitarian crisis. Canada said last week it was monitoring the situation in Cuba and was concerned about “the increasing risk of a humanitarian crisis” there.Emboldened by the US military’s seizure of ousted Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro in a deadly raid in January, President Donald Trump has repeatedly talked of acting against Cuba and pressuring its leadership.Washington and Ottawa have also had tensions under Trump over issues like trade tariffs, Trump’s rhetoric towards Greenland, Ottawa’s attempt to warm ties with Beijing and Prime Minister Mark Carney’s remarks that “middle powers” should act together to avoid being victimized by US hegemony. — Agencies
Canada plans aid package as Washington squeezes Cuba
