Cuban ambassador to testify as Ottawa says aid is on the way

Ambassador Rodrigo Malmierca Diaz will appear before the House foreign affairs committee this afternoon as Ottawa says it is preparing humanitarian assistance for Cuba; Global Affairs Canada officials are also scheduled to testify.

Canada continues to say it will send aid to Cuba, and Cuba's ambassador to Canada is set to testify before the House foreign affairs committee this afternoon. Ambassador Rodrigo Malmierca Diaz is scheduled to speak after officials from Global Affairs Canada responsible for regional issues and humanitarian response. The article reports a U.S. oil blockade has contributed to a humanitarian crisis in Cuba, and Mexico has already sent shipments of food and medicines. Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand said Ottawa is "preparing a plan to assist," and Trade Minister Dominic LeBlanc said Canada is working on providing some sort of humanitarian aid, though officials did not provide further details. Key points: - Ambassador Rodrigo Malmierca Diaz is scheduled to appear before the House foreign affairs committee this afternoon. - Officials from Global Affairs Canada responsible for regional issues and humanitarian response are also due to testify. - The article reports a U.S. oil blockade has contributed to a humanitarian crisis in Cuba; Mexico has sent food and medical shipments and some MPs urged Ottawa to follow suit. - Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand said Ottawa is preparing a plan to assist and Trade Minister Dominic LeBlanc said Canada is working on providing humanitarian aid, but details were not provided. Summary: The committee appearance will allow MPs to hear from Cuba's ambassador and Global Affairs Canada officials about the reported humanitarian situation in Cuba. Ottawa has said it is preparing assistance but has not announced details. The scheduled testimony this afternoon is the next stated procedural step.