In a significant development, Envioscuba.com, a major online platform used by Cubans in the U.S. to send essentials to Cuba, is halting its services. This decision follows increased U.S. sanctions aimed at crippling Cuban businesses. The sanctions have particularly focused on the Cuban state-owned oil and gas sector and GAESA, a business conglomerate connected to the Cuban military.
Envioscuba.com has confirmed it is no longer accepting new orders, though it will fulfill those already in process. The platform has blamed “reasons beyond our control” for its closure, providing no further explanation. Attempts to reach the company have been unsuccessful as they have no public contact information available.
According to Emilio Morales from the Havana Consulting Group, platforms like Envioscuba.com do not export goods from the U.S. Instead, they facilitate the purchase and delivery of items stored in GAESA’s warehouses in Cuba. Morales predicts that similar platforms will also shut down to avoid the repercussions of conducting business with the Cuban government.
The sanctions already pose a threat to freeze assets and restrict travel for foreign companies’ associates, disrupting their U.S. financial operations. Spain-based Meliá Hotels has also announced the termination of operations at 15 of its Cuban locations, further underscoring the growing business retreat from Cuba.
Leave a Reply