STORY: More than 150 people from the United States departed Miami for Havana on Friday (March 20) as part of the Nuestra America Convoy, a humanitarian mission delivering medical supplies to Cuba while protesting U.S. policy toward the island, organizers said.

The delegation was organized by feminist grassroots group CODEPINK alongside Progressive International, Cuban Americans for Cuba and other U.S.-based partners. The group said the convoy aims to highlight humanitarian needs in Cuba while opposing the longstanding U.S. embargo.

Participants said they were carrying about 6,300 pounds of medicines and medical equipment, including neonatal supplies, analgesics and catheters, for Cuban hospitals and clinics facing shortages. The aid, valued at $433,000, was collected by Global Health Partners, according to the delegation.

The trip is part of a broader international effort coordinated by Progressive International. Separately, Mexico’s president, Claudia Sheinbaum, said another humanitarian aid shipment to Cuba had departed, as the island grapples with an economic, energy and supply crisis that Cuban authorities blame in part on U.S. sanctions.

DESCRIPCIÓN DE IMÁGENES

SHOWS: MIAMI, FLORIDA, UNITED STATES (MARCH 20, 2026) (REUTERS - Access all)

1. VARIOUS OF PEOPLE CHECKING IN AT AIRPORT COUNTER

2. MEMBERS OF FEMINIST ORGANIZATION CODEPINK HOLDING PINK HEART-SHAPED BANNERS WHILE POSING FOR PHOTO

3. PEOPLE CHECKING IN

4. U.S. PASSPORT ON COUNTER

5. (SOUNDBITE) (English) CODEPINK CO-FOUNDER, MEDEA BENJAMIN, SAYING:

“We are here in Miami getting ready to leave for Havana. We have 170 people in our plane that we're taking, but we have about 6,000 pounds of medical equipment and it's valued at about $430,000.”

6. PERSON CHECKING IN BOXES WITH HUMANITARIAN AID

7. VARIOUS OF BOXES WITH HUMANITARIAN AID

8. (SOUNDBITE) (English) CODEPINK CO-FOUNDER, MEDEA BENJAMIN, SAYING:

“We see every year in the United Nations that the entire world except the U.S. and Israel vote against the U.S. blockade (on Cuba). So we really feel that we represent global opinion, which is totally opposed to a medieval siege that the U.S. is doing right now."

9. VARIOUS OF PERSON CHECKING IN BOXES WITH HUMANITARIAN AID

10. (SOUNDBITE) (English) U.S. NAVY VETERAN, PHIL EHR, SAYING:

“What’s happening here is a convoy of people who think they're giving aid to the Cuban people when in fact they're giving aid to a regime to perpetuate the imprisoning of the Cuban people. It is counterproductive to Cuba libre.”

11. VARIOUS OF AIRPORT EMPLOYEES PROCESSING BOXES WITH HUMANITARIAN AID

12. (SOUNDBITE) (English) CO-FOUNDER OF THE U.S. HANDS OFF CUBA COMMITTEE, BRENDA LOPEZ, SAYING:

“And because of that we are sending a bunch of aid. This includes medical supplies, baby milk formula, crutches and other stuff that will help the Cuban people get through these hard times. Above all, it's a message of solidarity that we stand with the Cuban people and we are against what our government is currently doing.”

13. VARIOUS OF PEOPLE HANDLING CRUTCHES BEING SENT TO CUBA

14. (SOUNDBITE) (English) CO-FOUNDER OF THE U.S. HANDS OFF CUBA COMMITTEE, BRENDA LOPEZ, SAYING:

"It's a very difficult time in Cuba, but they are very strong and they walk with a lot of sovereignty. And I believe that they'll get through these hard times, not only, you know, they're not by themselves to have the world standing with them. (Continues in Spanish) Long live Cuba."

15. VARIOUS OF BOXES ON CONVEYOR BELTS