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Cubamax Travel, a travel agency based in Miami, announced that it has allocated $250,000 in humanitarian aid to support families affected by Hurricane Melissa in eastern Cuba.
According to the statement issued by the company, the financial contribution aims to “support recovery efforts in the most affected areas”, following a meteorological event that left entire communities isolated, homes destroyed, and an undetermined number of people affected in the eastern provinces of the Island.
The donation will be made under the general licenses authorized by the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) and the U.S. Department of Commerce, allowing the shipment of humanitarian supplies even under the embargo.
Cubamax has assured that it will channel the aid "in a completely authorized, safe, and transparent manner," with the commitment that donations will go directly to families.
“This effort represents much more than a donation: it is an act of solidarity and unity among Cubans both on the island and abroad,” stated the company.
"Today, more than ever, we reach out to our roots, reaffirming that distance does not separate us, it unites us," they added.
Free flights and humanitarian baggage
In addition to the financial contribution, Cubamax recently organized two humanitarian flights at no cost to Holguín, in coordination with Eastern Air Express and Aerocuba Chárter, scheduled for November 13 and 16.
The tickets are intended for individuals who wish to travel to accompany and directly assist their family members in Cuba.
Each passenger is allowed to bring one suitcase weighing up to 70 pounds for free, as part of the logistical support provided by the agency.
"The tickets will be free of charge for people traveling with the purpose of accompanying and providing direct assistance to their relatives," the company stated in its social media post.
Critical situation in Eastern Cuba
The initiative comes at a time when eastern Cuba is trying to recover from the devastating effects of Hurricane Melissa, which struck several provinces with heavy rains and winds that destroyed fragile infrastructure.
Despite official reports stating that "work is being done on recovery," the situation on the ground reflects a landscape of extreme precariousness.
Numerous families have lost their homes, roads remain impassable in some areas, and access to food, medicine, and building materials is very limited.
The country's economic crisis, characterized by inflation, shortages, and an average salary that barely covers basic needs, has led many Cubans to rely exclusively on external assistance to get by.
Support from exile and criticism of state management
The donation from Cubamax adds to other solidarity actions undertaken by Cubans abroad, who have organized collections and shipments of supplies.
Meanwhile, the Cuban government has been criticized for its slowness and inefficiency in managing emergencies. Many see these gestures from the diaspora as not only a display of solidarity but also a response to the institutional void.
"Our purpose is for every affected family to feel that they are not alone, and that each box, every medication, and every aid sent represents a hug to our brothers on the island," the company stated.
Although some question the role that these private donations can play in a system that has historically restricted the free action of civil society, the humanitarian urgency is undeniable. For many victims, these types of initiatives represent the only tangible relief.
Cubamax has set up the email donations@cubamax.com for those who wish to contribute to the cause or receive more information. It is also possible to visit their offices in Hialeah or consult the official website www.cubamax.com.
Background and controversies
Founded in 2001 and with 13 branches in Florida, Cubamax has faced protests from the Cuban exile community, which accuses it of maintaining ties with the Havana regime.
In July, a group of protesters gathered outside its headquarters in Hialeah to denounce alleged resource shipments to the regime and demand the release of political prisoners.
Although there are no official sanctions from the U.S. government against the agency, and the accusations have not been proven, the debate surrounding its role remains ongoing.
In April, Cubamax temporarily suspended the sending of remittances to Cuba, citing a "restructuring" related to the companies that process money on the Island, after the State Department included Orbit S.A., its main intermediary, on the list of entities linked to the military conglomerate GAESA.
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