By Dave Sherwood
HAVANA, Feb 12 (Reuters) - Two Mexican-flagged ships loaded with humanitarian aid entered Havana Harbor early on Thursday, a Reuters witness said, as Cuba's long-time ally made good on a promise to assist after Washington threatened tariffs on countries that send oil to Cuba.
One of the ships, the Papaloapan, carried large quantities of white-wrapped pallets on its deck as it passed beside the El Morro castle before entering the quiet waters of the harbor.
The shipment from Mexico arrives just days after the island's communist-run government announced increasingly strict rationing measures to confront U.S. efforts to cut off Cuba's fuel supply.
Washington in January threatened tariffs on countries that supply oil to the island, saying that Cuba poses an "extraordinary threat" to U.S. national security - a claim Havana denies.
Mexico announced the aid delivery after halting shipments of crude and refined products to Cuba in mid-January under pressure from the Trump administration.
"These ships set sail from the port of Veracruz with a cargo of more than 814 tons of supplies destined for the civilian population of the island of Cuba," Mexico`s government said in a statement later in the day.
The cargo included liquid and powdered milk, meat products, cookies, beans, rice, tuna in water, sardines and vegetable oil, as well as personal hygiene items, the statement said.
Ediberto Rodriguez, a 65-year-old Havana resident and state worker, watched the ships enter the harbor and praised Mexico for what he called an "unforgettable gesture."
"Mexico hasn't abandoned us," he said. "Even with pressure from a global superpower (the United States), they weren't afraid."
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum said on Wednesday that her government will send a second shipment of humanitarian aid to Cuba in the coming days.
(Reporting by Dave Sherwood, additional reporting by Mario Fuentes; Editing by Sharon Singleton and Cynthia Osterman)
