WASHINGTON, United States (AFP) — The United States (US) said on Tuesday it was sending the first part of a $100 million aid package to Cuba, as the island suffers a deep economic crisis under pressure from Washington.

A plane carrying “pre-packaged food and hygiene kits for up to 700 Cuban families” was to depart from Miami, the State Department said in a statement.

The aid will be delivered directly by the Catholic church, circumventing Cuba’s communist government to block “any opportunity for regime diversion or theft,” the statement said.

Washington previously worked with Catholic intermediaries to deliver $9 million in aid to Cuba after parts of the island were hit hard by Hurricane Melissa.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio proposed the $100 million package in May, as the United States ramped up its pressure campaign against Cuba’s communist leadership.

That campaign has seen a steep ramping up of sanctions, an effective oil blockade and the filing of criminal charges against former president Raul Castro, a key power broken on the island.

The oil blockade has led to a severe fuel shortage and contributed to several nationwide blackouts in recent weeks.

US President Donald Trump has said that Cuba’s leadership could be his next target following the January military option which removed Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro — a key ally of Cuba — from power.