The company Western Union extended his remittance services to Cuba to more than 340 locations in Florida, expanding the operations of the pilot program reopened earlier this month.
US customers can now send money to bank accounts and debit cards in Cuba through 343 entities enabled in 65 municipalities throughout the state of Florida.
The company confirmed to CyberCuba the expansion of the service, which was activated last week.
"We are in the initial testing phase of a pilot program. Once this testing phase is completed, we will be in a better position to further discuss the details of the service," he told CyberCuba a Western Union spokesperson.
Initially, shipments through the pilot program were launched at the beginning of January in only 24 locations from South Florida.
Western Union said that the service is being closely monitored to ensure its efficiency in the event of any irregularities that may occur in operating terminals.
The official added that Western Union is also considering extending the service to other states, as was the case until the suspension decreed by the Donald Trump administration in November 2020.
As part of the pilot program, The aim is to expand the number of financial institutions operated by the Cuban government that participate in the remittance delivery service.
The source added that the Reestablishment of Western Union remittances from third countries is under consideration, but will not be in the near future.
For the moment, the expansion of service in Florida includes a variety of establishments desde Daytona Beach a Key West, including supermarkets, pharmacies, small markets, cafes, telephone stores and travel agencies.
CyberCuba had contact with more than 20 shipping locations that confirmed the efficient operation of the service.
As established since the launch of the pilot program, clients can only send money to bank accounts and debit cards of three Cuban banks: Popular Savings Bank (BPA), Banco Metropolitano S.A. and Bank of Credit and Commerce (BANDEC).
The sending limit per transaction is $2,000., with a service charge or tax of $3 for a shipment up to $20 and $8 for every $100 sent. If more than $1,000 dollars are sent, the charge will be 2.5%.
Money will be available the same day in Cuba if sent before 12:00 pm US Eastern Time. Remittances sent after that time will be available the next business day.
The step taken by Western Union attempts to return to normality of a service that was interrupted after 21 years of active presence in Cuba, where the company established more than 420 branches in 168 municipalities in the country.
Until November 2020, Western Union currency transfers to Cuba were processed by FINCIMEX, entity that was sanctioned and included by the Department of State in the List of restricted entities for their links with the Revolutionary Armed Forces (FAR) or the Ministry of the Interior.
Since October 2020, financial institutions and companies in the United States requested the Cuban government to allow other entities to operate the receipt of remittances on the island. These requests were denied by Cuba until in February of last year the government authorized Orbit S.A. to process remittances.
Since the end of last year, there two companies, based in Florida, with agreements to use the Cuban state-owned Orbit S.A. in fund transfers from the United States to Cuba: VaCuba and Cubamax, both with authorization from the Treasury Department.
Residents in the United States can continue sending remittances through these agencies, which deliver the cash in the equivalent in national currency or can send it through the bank cards of users in Cuba. The service charge is 10%, but if more than $300 dollars are sent using cards or bank accounts the tax is only 7%.
To see the complete list of the 343 Florida locations with the remittance service to Cuba, press HERE.
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