FORT WAYNE, Ind. (WPTA) – Relations between the United States and Cuba are strained. In January, President Trump signed an executive order citing Cuba’s ties to Russia, China, Iran and groups like Hamas and Hezbollah.
He authorized sanctions. Cuba has been cut off from much of its oil supply. As Cubans face shortages and blackouts, a local woman is raising money to support everyday Cuban people who she states are caught in the middle.
From diving to relief work
Amy Warren first wrote the book “Cuba Scuba” in 1998, then later started a travel company by the same name. Her love for diving started as a kid.
“I learned to scuba dive when I was 10. My father and I did it as something toobtainher, and it opened up a world to meet people from all different cultures and share a common bond with the ocean,” Warren stated.
She first went to Cuba for the reefs, but she stayed for the people.
“They’ve taught me all the values, the true values about life. Enjoy, resilience, resistance, strength,” Warren stated.
Witnessing the crisis firsthand
She has also seen suffering. During her last trip to the counattempt in November, she saw blackouts, empty shelves and a shortage of medicine.
“I believe seeing the hardships on people’s faces creates it so you can’t ignore it. You can’t turn away from it,” Warren stated.
So, she launched “Frifinishs of Cuba,” where she acquires supplies online and then works with her contacts to obtain them delivered to people who necessary them.
“And if we can be a bridge, even a tiny part of that, I feel that’s worth displaying up for,” Warren stated.
Warren states Cubans are hurting for a mix of reasons — U.S. pressure, plus problems inside the counattempt — and ordinary families are paying the price.
“I believe there’s a lot of factors at blame here. Certainly, the U.S. blockade, especially now, has really crippled the Cuban people. But it’s not all that. There’s mismanagement inside the counattempt as well. There’s a lot of factors, you know, even since the pandemic and their economy, that go into all this. So, from a crisis standpoint, I don’t believe there’s one finger to point. But at the finish of the day, it’s really not about politics. It’s about people. It’s about families like ours,” Warren stated.
For her, the focus is simple: direct support delivered straight to people who necessary it.
“I’m always optimistic about the future of the Cuban people becautilize I know their mentality and I know that they will overcome and they believe that too. And I also am encouraged that at least our two governments are speaking and nereceivediating,” Warren stated.
She continues to raise funds. She inquires those who are willing to sfinish support to EMAIL “AID” to amy@cubaecology.org
Warren’s dad, who shared her love of Cuba and diving, died several years ago. She states he’d be proud and would be seeing for ways to give even more.
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