Meilin Puertas Borrero | eltoque.com
Donations in Cuba: Should the Government Be the Intermediary?
Exploring the complexities and challenges faced by independent donors in Cuba
On May 6, 2022, an explosion at the Saratoga Hotel in Havana resulted in the tragic loss of 45 lives and the evacuation of 37 families. In the aftermath, many independent citizen groups swiftly mobilized to collect and distribute donations such as clothing, shoes, toys, water, non-perishable food, and medicines to the affected individuals.
Despite the good intentions behind these initiatives and their efforts to deliver aid directly to those in need, they encountered significant governmental obstacles. On May 14, after days of organizing and purchasing food with more than 50,000 Cuban pesos raised, Michel Morán arrived at La Brisas apartotel in the Pan American Village, where the affected families were being housed. However, he was prohibited from approaching the hotel. He was told that donations could only be handed over to the Municipal Government, otherwise he would face questioning and identity checks by authorities. He ultimately resorted to distributing the donations discreetly to avoid governmental interference.
Massy Carram experienced similar challenges but found alternative ways to deliver donations without publicizing the methods, fearing repercussions while there were still resources left to distribute. Erich Concepción, a Cuban musician residing in the United States, also faced obstacles when trying to deliver money collected with the help of his followers.
The legal framework in Cuba poses additional complexities. Currently, there is no regulation that mandates the government as a compulsory intermediary for donations between residents. For donations from abroad, the 2020 International Cooperation Decree (Decree-Law 16 of 2020) outlines the formal process, emphasizing non-interference in domestic affairs and respect for national sovereignty.
While this decree allows for emergency aid, all donations remain under the control of the Cuban Government, which regulates both approval and receipt processes. Private entities can be recipients, but only through state mechanisms, and individuals cannot act as intermediaries. Furthermore, the transportation of donations within Cuba requires vehicles registered in specific cooperation programs, with permissions from the Ministry of Foreign Trade and Foreign Investment.
Facing bureaucratic hurdles and state control, many in the Cuban diaspora have adopted alternative methods to send essential resources, such as using courier services or bringing donations as personal luggage. The relaxation of import regulations has allowed for the unlimited import of food, hygiene products, and medications without customs duties, providing a more agile donation channel free from government involvement.
Political and social organizations on the island also collect donations, but these are typically handed over to municipal governments. Effective donation processes require detailed protocols, including resource lists, photographic documentation, and clear usage plans, demonstrating that independent civil coordination can successfully manage donations without state centralization.
Ultimately, solidarity should not be hampered by bureaucratic barriers, and donors deserve the freedom to choose how their contributions reach those in need.
Read the full article in English on eltoque.com, using Google Translate.
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