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In a move that has sparked outrage among activists and citizens, government authorities in Guantánamo withheld donations collected by the solidarity group "Huellas," intended for families affected by Hurricane Oscar.
According to Facebook posts by Johanna Jolá Álvarez, the project's leader, the detention was justified on the basis of an alleged violation of protocols, which they describe as an "anticuban and unethical" act.
"It is outrageous that we are treated like criminals when we have only come to help." These words express the frustration of the "Huellas" team, whose mission to provide humanitarian support to those affected by Hurricane Oscar in Guantánamo was blocked by local authorities on December 28, 2024.
According to reports on social media, donations collected over several weeks were withheld on the grounds of "protocol violations," despite the fact that these contributions were intended for families in need, educational institutions, libraries, and health centers in municipalities such as San Antonio del Sur, Imías, Baracoa, and Maisí.
The “Huellas” team, known for their humanitarian work, returned to Guantánamo from Havana with a shipment of food, clothing, toys, hygiene supplies, and essential medical equipment, such as wheelchairs for children with special needs. However, instead of allowing the immediate delivery of these resources, local authorities decided to withhold them.
"Nothing, absolutely nothing, justifies the blocking of year-end donations. Even less so for food purchased specifically for those affected who are in extreme survival," they emphasized in their statement.
The conflict arose when local authorities summoned the team to a meeting at the Provincial Government of Guantánamo. There, representatives such as Daysi Sarmientos and officials from Foreign Trade argued that the donations violated a recently established protocol.
"Huellas," which had previously made two trips to the province without any issues, stated that they had not been informed about this new procedure. "Even they couldn't explain the protocol or procedure that they claim to have established recently, in the last 15 days," they noted.
Despite the group’s efforts to justify their work and provide evidence of transparency, such as invoices and donation records, the authorities remained steadfast in their decision. The withholding of assistance led to outrage among the team and the beneficiary communities, who were counting on these donations to conclude a year marked by devastation.
Beyond the blockade, they denounced in another post the interrogations and harassment faced by those affected who attended a New Year's dinner organized by the group in Baracoa. "It's incredible that they went to interrogate Joelmis and other victims as if we were some kind of criminals," they pointed out, questioning whether solidarity among Cubans has become a crime.
"Huellas" expressed its gratitude to the authorities of Public Health and Education who facilitated their work in previous trips, and lamented that the joint effort was undermined by bureaucratic procedures. In their words: "Prioritizing a 'procedure, a protocol' over the well-being of the people feels like an undignified, un-Cuban, unethical act, an inexplicable lack of sensitivity."
Frequently Asked Questions about the Retention of Donations for Those Affected by Hurricane Oscar in Guantánamo
Why did the government withhold donations intended for the victims of Hurricane Oscar?
Authorities claimed that the donations violated a supposedly newly established protocol, which sparked outrage among activists and citizens, who described the action as "anti-Cuban and unethical."
What types of donations were withheld by the authorities in Guantánamo?
The group "Huellas" was transporting food, clothing, toys, hygiene supplies, and essential medical equipment, such as wheelchairs for children with special needs, intended for various communities affected by the hurricane in Guantánamo.
What impact has the withholding of donations had on the affected communities?
The withholding of assistance has sparked outrage among the "Huellas" team and the beneficiary communities, who were counting on these donations to close out a year marked by the devastation caused by Hurricane Oscar.
What actions has the group "Huellas" taken following the retention of their donations?
Despite the frustration, "Huellas" has continued to raise awareness on social media about the blockage of their donations and has expressed gratitude to the authorities in Public Health and Education who facilitated their efforts in the past.
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