Cubamax Travel, a travel agency based in Miami, has announced the launch of two new humanitarian flights to Santiago de Cuba. These flights are offered at no cost to help individuals reach family members affected by Hurricane Melissa, which has left devastation in its wake across eastern Cuba.
The flights, scheduled for Tuesday, November 18, are part of an extended solidarity initiative that began with routes to Holguín. This collaboration involves Eastern Air Express and Aerocuba Charter.
In this latest effort, tickets are completely free, allowing passengers to bring 90 pounds of luggage and unlimited aid supplies.
"When families are in need, Cubamax answers the call," the company stated on Facebook, encouraging those interested to visit any of their South Florida offices to book a ticket or call (305) 512-0303.
This humanitarian effort comes amid a dire situation in the island's eastern region, where thousands of families are left among ruins after torrential rains, hurricane-force winds, and river flooding caused by Melissa's passage.
Entire neighborhoods have been flooded or cut off, with many survivors having lost everything, from their homes to their limited possessions.
The Struggle for Recovery
Despite claims from Cuban authorities that recovery efforts are underway, reports from Holguín, Granma, and Santiago de Cuba paint a starkly different picture.
Residents face widespread devastation, lacking building materials, food, stable electricity, and a functioning healthcare system. In rural communities, entire families sleep under tarps or makeshift shelters, waiting for government assistance that has yet to arrive.
In this context, support from the Cuban diaspora has become the only real relief for many. Through Cubamax and other private initiatives, expatriates have organized collections, fundraising, and shipments of essential supplies.
Private Aid vs. Official Indifference
These efforts, though modest compared to the scale of the disaster, offer tangible hope against official indifference.
In Cuba, rebuilding seems like an impossible dream: the average salary barely covers a week's worth of food, construction material prices have skyrocketed, and families lack savings or insurance to cover their losses.
While the government promises solutions, it is often private aid—frequently organized from abroad—that sustains what little remains intact.
Earlier this week, Cubamax Travel announced two free humanitarian flights to Holguín on November 13 and 16 to aid those affected by Melissa.
Each passenger can bring as much aid as they wish and include a 70-pound suitcase at no charge, courtesy of Cubamax.
Cubamax's Controversial Role
Founded in 2001 and with over a dozen locations in Florida, Cubamax has been a point of controversy within the exile community, which accuses the company of maintaining ties with the Havana regime.
In July, protesters gathered outside its Hialeah headquarters, alleging resources were being sent to the regime and demanding the release of political prisoners.
Although there are no official U.S. sanctions against the agency and no evidence of the accusations, the debate over its role continues.
In April, Cubamax temporarily suspended remittance services to Cuba, citing a "restructuring" of the companies processing the money on the island, after the U.S. State Department listed Orbit S.A., its main intermediary, among entities linked to the military conglomerate GAESA.
Despite the controversy, the current decision to offer free flights for humanitarian aid has placed Cubamax back at the center of discussions about the exile community's role in the daily survival of Cubans on the island.
As the state fails to provide effective solutions, it is private solidarity that again temporarily sustains a country trapped in neglect.
Understanding Humanitarian Aid to Cuba
What is the purpose of Cubamax's free flights to Cuba?
Cubamax's free flights aim to assist individuals wishing to aid family members affected by Hurricane Melissa, providing necessary support and supplies in the devastated regions of Cuba.
Who can benefit from these humanitarian flights?
These flights are intended for people looking to reach their families in eastern Cuba, particularly in areas severely impacted by the hurricane.
What controversies surround Cubamax Travel?
Cubamax has faced criticism from some exile community members who accuse it of having ties with the Cuban regime, although no official sanctions or evidence support these claims.