GEORGETOWN, Guyana (CMC) – The Guyana-based Caribbean Community (Caricom) Secretariat Tuesday announced that regional governments are preparing to dispatch humanitarian aid to Cuba, which has been rocked by repeated and extensive blackouts as the United States has sought to cut off the supply of oil to the country.

Washington has also maintained its decades old trade and economic embargo on the  Caribbean country hoping that Havana will embark upon a pro=western capitalist system.

In a statement, the Caricom Secretariat gave no specific date as to when the shipment would arrive in Havana, but said that it follows a decision announced by Caricom Chairman, and St Kitts and Nevis Prime Minister Dr Terrance Drew at the Caricom summit  held in Basseterre last month.

“The humanitarian effort is being coordinated by the Caricom Secretariat, headquartered in Georgetown, Guyana. Items such as powdered milk, including baby formula; non-perishables such as beans, wheat flour, rice, and canned goods; basic medical supplies; solar panels; batteries, and water tanks, will be purchased on behalf of Member States and shipped to Cuba,”  the statement said.

It noted that Caricom’s initiative is supported by the government of Mexico, “which has identified suppliers in Mexico able to deliver the items to the port of departure, and which will provide free shipment from Mexico to Cuba”.