A Havana-based entrepreneur has garnered praise on social media for his efforts in transporting parcels across various provinces in Cuba. Alexiuvis Álvarez Mendoza, who has promoted his business in the Facebook group “Baireros por el mundo,” identified a market opportunity in the widespread need for moving packages, furniture, and other items amidst a scarcity of reliable options.
Álvarez Mendoza has emphasized in several posts that his services connect different provinces, including Camagüey, Granma, Havana, and the municipality of Contramaestre in Santiago de Cuba. “I pick up and deliver to any province along the route from Havana to Baire,” he stated in another post. However, he cautioned that “everything transported must have proper documentation.”
In the comments section, many people highlighted the importance of this type of service, which is severely lacking in Cuban society, and noted the quality of his work—another area where state-run services often fall short. Currently, Cubans face a significant shortage of options for moving their belongings from one province to another.
Challenges in Cuban Transportation
The scarcity of transportation options was underscored by Cuban singer known as “Flor de Cuba”, who shared with her followers that she decided to move “permanently” from Havana to Holguín. She revealed that she hired a truck for 200,000 CUP to cover the 16-hour journey. The singer admitted that the truck's seats were somewhat dirty, but this was resolved by placing a blanket over them to endure the long ride.
Recently, the Grupo Empresarial Correos de Cuba (GECC) blamed small private businesses, with which the entity has contracts, for delays in the delivery of international shipments. “The Empresa de Mensajería y Cambio Internacional (EMCI) informs and clarifies to its clients that if, when tracking the code of a shipment on the Correos de Cuba website or APK, the last event shows the phrase 'FACTURADO A MIPYME,' you should contact the phones of the Mipymes providing the contracted delivery service by the originating Courier Agencies, as they are responsible for distributing the shipments to recipients in Cuba,” they wrote in a Facebook post.
This situation is exacerbated by the severe transportation crisis currently affecting Cuba. Last July, the Cuban government acknowledged the crisis in the sector, revealing that more than half of the provincial routes are paralyzed, as reported in a session of the Cuban Parliament. Eduardo Rodríguez Dávila, Minister of Transportation (Mitrans), indicated that as of the end of April, 52% of the routes of provincial transportation companies were paralyzed, according to the official newspaper Granma.
Understanding the Transportation Crisis in Cuba
To provide further clarity on the transportation issues in Cuba, here are some frequently asked questions and their answers.
Why is there a shortage of transportation options in Cuba?
The shortage is primarily due to the prolonged economic crisis and inefficient management of state-run transportation services.
What measures has the Cuban government taken to address this crisis?
The government has acknowledged the crisis and is reportedly working on solutions, but many routes remain paralyzed, and tangible improvements are yet to be seen.
How are private businesses contributing to the solution?
Private businesses like that of Alexiuvis Álvarez Mendoza are stepping in to fill the gap, offering reliable parcel delivery services across provinces.