Months after President Trump’s oil blockade against Cuba, many Cubans depend heavily on their U.S. relatives for essential supplies.
Cubans face continuous food shortages, power outages, and intense heat. Relief arrives in packages from Miami, where South Floridians send essential goods to relatives on the island. These packages often include canned meats, rice, beans, mosquito nets, flashlights, fans, and summer clothing.
Some people employ “mulas,” couriers who deliver goods or American cash directly to Cuba. Jorge Smith, who left Cuba for Miami four years ago, is an example of someone providing aid. Despite his own financial struggles as a Miami Uber driver, he bought a stronger solar-powered generator for his family in Havana. The generator replaces a previous 60-watt model insufficient for the limited two hours of daily grid electricity.
While Smith disagrees with the Cuban government, he criticizes the blockade. “By cutting off the oil, they cut off the life of the people,” he explained, emphasizing that it’s the citizens who suffer.
Cubans have a long history of relying on U.S. relatives. Today, they utilize informal couriers, multiple Miami-based shipping firms, and online platforms to aid those still on the island.