Months into President Trump’s oil blockade against Cuba, many Cubans depend heavily on relatives in the U.S. for essential support. South Floridians are shipping boxes filled with canned meats, rice, beans, and other staples to help feed their hungry families.
The situation in Cuba has become dire, with food shortages, frequent blackouts, and stifling heat. Relief often comes from packages sent by relatives in Miami. These packages include mosquito nets, flashlights, fans, and loosefitting nightgowns, which help Cubans cope with the oppressive nights.
Some people pay couriers, known as “mulas” or mules, who travel to Cuba to deliver goods or cash. Jorge Smith, a 64-year-old who moved to Miami from Cuba four years ago, is one of many sending supplies to family members back home. He has been searching for a stronger solar-powered generator for his daughter and grandson in Havana, as their current generator no longer meets their needs with the limited electricity supply.
“They only have two hours of grid power a day,” Mr. Smith explained. As an Uber driver, he contends with Miami’s rising costs, yet he disagrees with the blockade. “By cutting off the oil, they cut off the life of the people,” he argued. “It’s the people who suffer.”
Cubans have traditionally relied on relatives in the U.S. for support. Today, they can tap into informal courier networks, various shipping companies in Miami, and online shopping sites that coordinate deliveries to the island.
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