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More than 4,000 shipments of international parcels that were supposed to arrive in Sancti Spíritus remain stagnant in Havana.
This situation also results in a loss of 3 million pesos for the state-owned Correos de Cuba, as acknowledged by the local state media.
"The delivery of international packages is deteriorating in the country due to all the issues we know regarding fuel shortages, transportation difficulties, a lack of tires, spare parts, batteries, and others," said Carlos Ovey Gotera González, director of Correos in that province, to Escambray.
The official responded to the numerous complaints by shifting responsibilities.
"According to the established mechanism, international packages destined for the province have to be brought to me here. However, given the current situation, when we have the opportunity—because we travel to the capital for another matter—we take advantage of it and make a trip to bring them back," he assured.
The official assured that the postal service in Sancti Spíritus delivers the packages in its possession within 48 hours.
"As soon as it arrives, it is our responsibility to classify and process it. Despite having no fuel and facing the same issues as the entire business system in this country, we manage to deliver it within 48 hours because we have established connections with other non-state management forms that are also engaged in package distribution, and they ensure us a level of fuel to transport both their shipments and ours," he explained.
In 2024, the postal service in Sancti Spíritus “failed to receive about 38,400 expected shipments, which amounted to approximately 6 million pesos not collected,” the report states, without clarifying the causes of that deficit.
Recently, Correos de Cuba acknowledged that only 0.02% of the more than 745,000 shipments managed between 2024 and the first quarter of 2025 were altered, stolen, or lost. However, it shifted the responsibility onto postal and customs operators, claiming that shipments pass through both foreign and Cuban hands before arriving in the country.
By the end of 2024, the Cuban government boasted about an improvement in package deliveries with only 72 annual complaints. While official reports highlight the decrease in claims and logistical advancements, structural problems persist, with high demands as the population continues to report delays and, in particular, the theft of contents in packages, which undermines the official narrative of the regime.
In May, a public complaint was made by the Cuban citizen Aimeé Plasencia Ferrás, a resident of Santa Marta, Cárdenas, in the province of Matanzas, who received aluminum profiles instead of the two Philips televisions she had sent from Panama.
Frequently Asked Questions about the parcel service of Correos de Cuba
Why aren't international shipments arriving in Sancti Spíritus?
More than 4,000 international parcel shipments remain in Havana due to issues with fuel shortages, transportation difficulties, and a lack of spare parts. These factors have caused economic losses for Correos de Cuba and have affected the timely delivery of packages in Sancti Spíritus.
How does the lack of fuel affect the postal service in Cuba?
The lack of fuel causes significant delays in package delivery throughout the country. This situation has forced Correos de Cuba to resort to non-state management methods to ensure the distribution of packages, although delays and user complaints continue to persist.
What measures has Correos de Cuba taken to improve package delivery?
Cuba's postal service has turned to partnerships with other non-state management forms to ensure a fuel supply that allows for package distribution. However, structural problems and resource shortages continue to affect the service, leading to economic losses and user dissatisfaction.
Are there reports of thefts from packages sent through Correos de Cuba?
Yes, reports of theft and changes in contents of packages are recurrent. Despite Correos de Cuba downplaying these incidents, user complaints on social media and alternative media continue, highlighting a persistent problem within the state parcel system.
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