In a simple but moving ceremony held Tuesday at the headquarters of the Ministry of Foreign Trade and Foreign Investment (MINCEX), Christian Vargas, the South American country's ambassador to Cuba, officially delivered the shipment in the presence of representatives from the World Food Programme and Brazil's Landless Workers' Movement.

According to a MINCEX statement, this is the first shipment of food under a Brazilian government initiative, which also includes other products.

During the delivery, Vargas reaffirmed his government's commitment to the brotherly people of Cuba, especially in light of difficulties arising from natural phenomena such as hurricanes, and highlighted the willingness to work jointly toward the development of food sovereignty on the island.

Pérez-Oliva Fraga, for his part, announced that the donation will be prioritized for children from zero to one year of age residing in the eastern provinces of Santiago de Cuba and Guantánamo. "These foods will be distributed as quickly as possible and free of charge," the deputy prime minister stated, expressing gratitude on behalf of the Cuban people and government to President Lula da Silva and the Brazilian people not only for this gesture of friendship but also for all the solidarity support they have historically provided to the largest of the Antilles.

He underscored the significance of this action "at a difficult time when the U.S. administration intends to suffocate us with a brutal energy blockade, which intensifies the collective punishment imposed on the entire Cuban people," he emphasized.

Brazil and Cuba are strengthening their ties of friendship and cooperation, and this donation is clear evidence of that, the MINCEX head affirmed. He also contextualized the complex situation facing the country, caused by the tightening of the economic, commercial, and financial blockade imposed by the U.S. government.

Pérez-Oliva Fraga noted that this policy, which in recent months has increased pressure to unprecedented levels, is responsible for the long hours of blackouts affecting the nation, as well as for severe disruptions to other vital services. He reaffirmed the Cuban government's commitment to the well-being of its people and assured that the transformations currently being implemented are directed toward that goal.

A first flight carrying the donation arrived Monday in Santiago de Cuba, and a second took place Wednesday.