Cuban influencer and dissident Alexander Otaola has raised concerns over the manner in which U.S. aid will be delivered to Cuba following the devastating impact of Hurricane Melissa. He firmly believes that the distribution should be overseen by Washington's allies on the island, rather than the regime led by Miguel Díaz-Canel.
"The aid should be channeled through the U.S. Embassy in Cuba, the Guantanamo Naval Base, and religious organizations, though I have my reservations about the latter," Otaola stated on his show. "Remember when we sent five containers of aid through Christian churches? Those institutions couldn't protect the shipments," he recounted.
Reflecting on past experiences, Otaola recalled, "The entire Miami community mobilized and donated essential items. However, the aid was held at the Port of Mariel; the church was given numerous excuses, and ultimately, the contents of the containers disappeared without a trace," he lamented.
This past Sunday, the U.S. government confirmed an allocation of three million dollars in humanitarian assistance to assist Cubans affected by Hurricane Melissa. The Department of State's Bureau of Western Hemisphere Affairs (WHA) indicated that the aid would be distributed in coordination with the Catholic Church.
Otaola, however, warned of previous donation experiences that reveal the corruption within the Cuban system. "They end up selling the aid in dollar stores, forcing Cuban families to buy what you donated," he criticized.
He further explained that some private businesses in the U.S. can use expedited licenses to send humanitarian aid to Cuba, yet he cautioned that this method does not ensure that the resources reach those in need.
In Otaola's view, "Cubans don't need a new mattress; they need freedom. We must blame the dictatorship that exploits and oppresses the Cuban people for these damages."
He emphasized that U.S. aid should be directly delivered by dissidents within the island: "The idea is for activists from Cuba Decide, UNPACU, and other opposition groups to distribute the aid. They can maintain direct contact with those affected," he asserted.
The situation in eastern Cuba remains dire. Thousands of families have lost everything after Hurricane Melissa swept through, leaving numerous communities without power, water, and food supplies.
The Cuban government has criticized the conditions set by the United States for sending humanitarian aid and has yet to confirm whether it will accept the international assistance.
Amidst the controversy, Miguel Díaz-Canel declared that Cuba "appreciates any help as long as it is sincere and respects our sovereignty and laws," a message widely interpreted as a rejection of the conditions proposed by the U.S. government.
U.S. Aid Delivery to Cuba: Key Questions
What are the concerns raised by Alexander Otaola regarding U.S. aid to Cuba?
Otaola is concerned about the distribution of U.S. aid being handled by the Cuban regime and suggests it should be managed by Washington's allies on the island, including dissident groups.
Why does Otaola distrust religious organizations in handling aid?
Otaola recalls a previous incident where aid sent through Christian churches was not protected, leading to its disappearance and misuse by the Cuban authorities.
What conditions has the U.S. set for delivering aid to Cuba?
The U.S. has allocated aid with the expectation that it will be distributed in coordination with the Catholic Church, a condition criticized by both Otaola and the Cuban government.