Cuba's Catch 22: Aid and Sanctions in a Vicious Cycle The United States' renewal of its $100 million aid offer to crisis hit Cuba is a stark example of the country's long standing conundrum.
Washington's mixed signals are exacerbating the crisis, which includes worsening blackouts, deepening economic woes, and growing tensions over sanctions, fuel shortages, and political reform.
The initial assertion by Secretary of State Marco Rubio that Cuba had rejected the aid was disputed by Havana, which pointed out that it had never been formally presented with such an offer.