Every package dispatched from Montevideo or elsewhere across the globe to Cuba carries the weight of a family enduring from thousands of miles away. Medicines, soaps, cell phones, used clothing, canned tuna, and packages of rice—items commonplace for many—become lifelines for Cubans on the island, relying increasingly on the sacrifices of those who have emigrated.
Several companies now serve as crucial links between the Cuban diaspora and the families left behind. "Everything was about Cuba, Cuba, Cuba," reflects Frank León, a Cuban residing in South America, watching as black nylon-wrapped packages pile up, ready for their journey. Most are bound for Las Tunas.
The volume is staggering. Up to 160 kilograms of goods travel weekly from Uruguay to Cuba, as reported by El País Uruguay. Alongside them, personal stories unfold that never make it to official reports.
Some migrants send 60 or 70 kilograms monthly, solely in medicines for their ailing parents. Others ship tools to help family members open small workshops. One young woman sends a new phone for her mother that could sell for up to 80,000 pesos in Cuba, a figure far exceeding the average salary.
These packages include a variety of medicines, such as ibuprofen, antibiotics, vitamins, syringes, rechargeable lamps to combat 20-hour blackouts, dried food, spices, and hygiene products.
The Role of "Mules" in Keeping Families Afloat
Adding to this material bridge are the "mules," migrants who sell space in their suitcases for $20 or $30 per kilogram for those needing to send something small or urgent. This clandestine business has surged alongside shortages and restrictions, seen by many not only as a business but as "a way to fight back."
The assistance doesn't stop there. Increasingly, Cubans in Uruguay are doing grocery shopping for their families through digital platforms, paying from abroad for food that is otherwise unaffordable on the island.
"How does a Cuban survive on $10 or $15 a month?" asks Mark, a migrant who can only afford to make one monthly purchase for his family. "Cubans survive through ingenuity."
While the Cuban government remains silent on the true extent of the crisis, it is the migrants, with their sacrifices, extra hours, and hand-drawn boxes, who are holding together what remains of countless homes.
Understanding the Migrant Support System for Cuban Families
What items are commonly sent from migrants to Cuba?
Common items include medicines, cell phones, food supplies like canned tuna and rice, tools, and hygiene products.
How do "mules" contribute to the support system?
"Mules" offer suitcase space for a fee, enabling urgent or small items to be sent to Cuba, thus aiding families amidst severe shortages.
Why do migrants resort to sending essential goods?
Due to economic difficulties and shortages in Cuba, migrants send essential goods to support their families and provide necessities that are otherwise inaccessible.
What challenges do Cuban migrants face in supporting their families?
Migrants face financial strain, needing to work extra hours and make personal sacrifices to afford sending supplies, while navigating legal and logistical barriers.