US renews US$100 million Cuba aid offer as Trump raises island with Xi

In a statement issued on Wednesday, the State Department said the aid would be distributed through the Catholic Church and other independent humanitarian organisations, while accusing Cuba’s communist government of refusing previous US offers of help, including support for satellite internet access.

“The decision rests with the Cuban regime to accept our offer of assistance or deny critical life-saving aid,” the department said, adding that Cuban authorities would ultimately be accountable to the population if they blocked the proposal.

The South China Morning Post contacted the US Conference of Catholic Bishops on Wednesday seeking details about the proposal, but did not immediately receive a response.