Antilles Episcopal Conference Issues Urgent Call for Solidarity Amidst Cuban Humanitarian Crisis

In a formal statement released on March 2, 2026, the Antilles Episcopal Conference (AEC) expressed “profound pastoral concern” regarding the deteriorating humanitarian conditions currently facing the people of Cuba.

The regional body of Catholic Bishops highlighted a series of acute developments that have left the island nation struggling with severe shortages of fuel and essential supplies. These shortages have triggered widespread electrical failures and significant disruptions to critical infrastructure, including hospitals and water systems. The AEC warned that these conditions pose a direct threat to food security and the delivery of basic public services, exacerbating the suffering of ordinary citizens who have already endured prolonged hardship.

“While Cuba stands in need of renewal and positive change, it does not need more pain,” the statement read. “The Church cannot remain silent when dignity is threatened and access to food, healthcare, and basic necessities becomes increasingly uncertain.”

The Bishops emphasized a message of regional solidarity, noting that the Caribbean is a community of nations bound by a shared history and a common destiny. They acknowledged recent appeals from various Caribbean leaders calling for a reconsideration of international policies that may inadvertently deepen the suffering of the Cuban population.

The AEC’s communique underscored the necessity of upholding fundamental principles of humanity, impartiality, and neutrality. The Conference argued that humanitarian assistance must reach the most vulnerable—specifically families, the elderly, and children—without being hindered by political manipulation or strategic delays.

“Disagreements among nations must be resolved through dialogue and diplomacy rather than by coercion or conflict,” the Conference asserted, reaffirming that solutions should be pursued in a spirit of genuine concern for common humanity.

The statement also called for the fostering of “healthy plurality and mutual respect” both within Cuba and across the wider region to ensure social stability and fruitful international engagement.

In closing, the AEC invited the faithful throughout the Caribbean to join in prayer for the Cuban people. The Bishops expressed their hope that solidarity would replace indifference and that charity would overcome division, seeking the intercession of Our Lady of Charity of El Cobre, the Patroness of Cuba, to accompany the nation in this period of uncertainty.

The Antilles Episcopal Conference is led by President Archbishop Charles Jason Gordon of the Archdiocese of Port of Spain, Vice President Bishop John Persaud of the Diocese of Mandeville, and Treasurer Bishop Robert Llanos of the Diocese of St. John’s-Basseterre.

[Click to read Release]