Venezuela has launched a major humanitarian relief effort for Cuba and Jamaica after both islands suffered severe damage from Hurricane Melissa.

Foreign Minister Yván Gil announced that the first phase of the operation includes 26 tons of emergency supplies, such as food, medicine, mattresses, and surgical equipment, being airlifted to Cuba aboard the national airline Conviasa.

A larger shipment of more than 3,000 tons will follow by sea in the coming days. Jamaica will receive about 20 tons of essential relief items, to be delivered personally by Vice Minister for the Caribbean Raúl Li Causi.

Gil said the effort reflects Venezuela’s “Bolivarian spirit of solidarity,” contrasting it with what he described as the destabilizing policies of other nations in the region. The assistance also marks the 25th anniversary of the landmark Cuba-Venezuela Comprehensive Cooperation Agreement signed by Hugo Chávez and Fidel Castro in 2000—an accord that laid the foundation for today’s ALBA-TCP regional partnership.

Cuban Ambassador Jorge Luis Mayo thanked Venezuela for its continued support, noting that the U.S. blockade has hindered Cuba’s ability to recover and prepare for natural disasters. He praised the aid as proof that “true diplomacy is built on solidarity, not threats,” calling the initiative a model of South-South cooperation and mutual respect among Caribbean and Latin American nations.