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The state-owned company Aerovaradero is back in the spotlight following a social media post that reveals the condition of dozens of motorcycles sent to Cuba and stored at the Santiago de Cuba International Airport.
The user David Sollet Ortiz, in the group Facebook "MY CUBA DIES", shared images and a message in which he describes the state of neglect of vehicles.
"This is the sad reality we see at the Santiago de Cuba International Airport. Aerovaradero, a shipping company, does not offer any good treatment for our efforts," they wrote.
The photos depict dozens of boxes exposed to the elements, some wrapped in plastic, others that were once covered by a piece of rubber that the wind has carried away, and others with nothing to provide even minimal protection.
In their post, they state that "these motorcycles are left out for weeks in the sun, rain, and dew without anyone caring or being bothered. Our reality on this Island is sad," the post concludes.
General outrage
The reactions were swift. Dozens of users expressed their frustration at yet another display of disorganization, negligence, and lack of control within the state-owned company.
"And the amount of money they charge us in taxes, in the end, they just steal it all, from the taxes on license plates to the money we pay in tolls, which is already quite expensive," commented a resident of Havana.
"Leaders don't care about anything; they have everything figured out," wrote a resident in Artemisa.
Another user from Santa Clara reported: "And besides being abandoned, they steal everything from them, even oil from some."
The accusations also point to informal payments to expedite deliveries. "I have a friend from Ciego de Ávila who has had his car in Cuba for over six months, and they haven't delivered it. But that's easy to resolve; you pay them $2,000 and you can get it out in one day. It's no secret; many people have done it," assured a user.
From Holguín, a resident shared images of cars that, according to him, "have been abandoned in Mariel for six months."
Another internet user questioned the lack of minimal care: "They can't at least set up a tent to protect those motorcycles."
"The truth is that this only happens in this country. And how expensive the shipping costs are," wrote a resident of Sagua la Grande.
An emigrant added, "It's a failed system in every way; it doesn't even work for delivering a package."
"Lack of respect, apathy, and corruption," summarized another.
A company with extensive control and limited accountability
Belonging to the Cuban Aviation Corporation, Aerovaradero S.A. is the entity responsible for the reception, handling, storage, customs clearance, and delivery of packages, including urgent and perishable cargo, at the country's main airports.
Its monopolistic position within the Cuban state system leaves users without real alternatives when problems arise.
The constant complaints on social media reflect the helplessness of customers in the face of errors, delays, or losses, without effective mechanisms to file complaints or demand compensation.
The accumulation of charges over weeks or months, the visible deterioration of goods, and complaints about thefts or irregular charges confirm the poor quality of a service characterized by inefficiency and lack of oversight.
A history of complaints
Current criticisms are not an isolated phenomenon.
In August 2023, a young Cuban identified on social media as Aliette Garaicoa reported that the agency delivered a Bucatti motorcycle sent from Panama to another person and did not assume responsibility for the mix-up.
According to the account, the vehicle was dispatched by air, after paying an additional cost for it to arrive in about a month. The family tracked the package and only received the response: "You have to wait." Days later, the shipment was marked as "shipped."
Upon arriving at the Aerovaradero facilities at José Martí Airport in Havana, they were informed that "the cargo was mistakenly dispatched to another person." The only solution offered was to provide the phone number of the person who received the product so that those affected could "resolve the issue."
The contacted person, according to the complaint, responded that they had already sold the bike and did not have the money to replace it. "Aerovaradero has done nothing more than file a report with the information, which has been absolutely useless," stated the complainant.
It has not been the only case. In 2021, it was revealed that there were shipments pending distribution since November 2019.
In 2022, another complaint revealed the delivery of an opened package containing belongings that did not belong to the recipient.
Users awaiting
The images now circulated from Santiago de Cuba once again highlight the deterioration of goods sent with great effort from abroad.
In a country where the scarcity of transportation and goods is persistent, many of these motorcycles and vehicles represent a significant investment for families.
However, the repeated complaints reveal a pattern of delays, inadequate storage, and a lack of solutions to "errors."
For users, the issue is not only the delay but also the anxiety over institutional abandonment and the lack of effective channels to make claims against a state-run company that monopolizes the management of international cargo in Cuba.
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