The Cuban influencer Claudia Artiles published a video on TikTok on Wednesday to respond to those who questioned her donation of humanitarian aid to the victims of the earthquakes in Venezuela, and announced that the profits generated from that same response will also be allocated to those affected.
Artiles and his partner, content creator Ultrack (Jorge Batista), donated medicine, diapers, wipes, and thermometers for the victims of the earthquakes on June 24, delivering them to the Global Empowerment Mission warehouse in Doral, Florida. The donation was recorded and published on social media, which sparked criticism from some users.
In her response video on TikTok, Artiles did not hide her frustration. "I am a content creator, so naturally, I am going to record, and at the beginning of the video, I said to follow me to raise awareness; if you don't have anything good to say, just stay quiet," she stated.
He also explained why he didn't publish the donation video immediately: "I had planned a vacation, I was in a hotel with my children and my partner, just on vacation, doing absolutely nothing, because I wasn't near my home."
Regarding the origin of the money she dedicated to the cause, she was direct: "When I get home and have the time to go to a store, spend money, and make a donation, I do it because I feel inclined to, because people support me, because I earn money from videos, and why not use that money to do something good that benefits the community?"
To those who criticize her without taking action, she posed a challenge: "Go to Walmart, spend your money and donate; if you don't like it, donate yourself, because you always criticize everything, you always have something negative to say, you see no good at all."
The most compelling moment of the video came when Artiles explained the logic of TikTok and used it to her advantage: "TikTok gives views to controversial content, so with your comment, I'm going to make money to donate as well." She was more specific: "The money I earn from this video of yours will be donated in diapers and wipes for babies in Venezuela, so keep commenting."
The earthquakes with magnitudes of 7.2 and 7.5 that struck Venezuela on June 24 represent the most significant seismic disaster in the country in over a century. As of Wednesday, the official death toll had risen to 2,295, along with more than 11,267 injured and over 54,000 missing, according to official data. The United States Geological Survey issued a Red Alert and estimated a 42% probability that the total number of fatalities could range from 10,000 to 100,000 people.
In light of the magnitude of the tragedy, the Cuban community in South Florida has mobilized in acts of solidarity. Global Empowerment Mission, based in Doral, has become the main logistical center for the humanitarian response from the United States, transferring approximately 235,000 pounds of donations and sending the first humanitarian flight to Caracas.
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