The primary online portal through which Cubans in the United States send aid to relatives back on the island ceased operations under pressure from U.S. sanctions.Envioscuba.com has long served as a key portal for Cuban Americans to send support back home, but the operation was directly connected to the Grupo de Administracion Empresarial, or GAESA, a military-run conglomerate that controls much of Cuba’s economy. Visitors to the website are now greeted by a message saying it is ceasing operations.“Due to reasons beyond our control, our platform can no longer provide services,” it said.
“All approved and pending orders will be shipped. Our support team will be available to assist you with any questions or requests you may have,” the message concluded.
The message is now the only display on the website, blocking any attempt to contact customer support.
Emilio Morales, president at the Miami-based consulting firm Havana Consulting Group, explained to the Associated Press that the portal and those like it would sell and deliver products stored in GAESA warehouses on the island, directly contributing to the group’s coffers.
“The trend is for all of this to disappear, because GAESA is behind it all,” he said, adding that all other similar portals are likely to shut down soon.
