WorldNewsOnline, a portal that facilitated the delivery of U.S. goods to Cuba, has announced it is no longer accepting orders. The decision, effective immediately, marks a significant shift in the service that many Cuban residents relied on to receive American products.
Background of the service
The portal operated as a middleman, allowing Cubans to purchase items from U.S. retailers and have them shipped to a U.S. address before being forwarded to Cuba. This service circumvented the longstanding U.S. embargo, which restricts direct trade with the island nation.
WorldNewsOnline had been operational for several years, handling thousands of packages annually. Its closure comes amid renewed scrutiny of such services by U.S. authorities.
Reasons for the shutdown
While the company did not provide a detailed explanation, sources suggest increased regulatory pressure and changes in U.S. policy toward Cuba played a key role. The Biden administration has maintained a tough stance on embargo enforcement, unlike the previous administration which had eased some restrictions.
- U.S. Customs and Border Protection has intensified inspections of shipments to Cuba.
- New Treasury Department guidelines have made it harder for forwarding services to operate legally.
- Several similar services have faced legal challenges in recent months.
Impact on Cuban consumers
The shutdown leaves many Cubans without a reliable way to access U.S. goods, from medicines to electronics. Alternative methods, such as using couriers or traveling to third countries, are more expensive and risky.
"This is a huge blow," said Maria Lopez, a Havana resident who used the service regularly. "We depend on these deliveries for things we can't get here."
Reactions from experts
Trade analysts say the closure reflects the ongoing complexity of U.S.-Cuba relations. "The embargo remains a major barrier," said Dr. James Carter, a Cuba expert at the University of Miami. "Services like WorldNewsOnline were a loophole, but the government is closing them."
Some argue that such services actually helped ordinary Cubans and should be allowed. Others contend they undermine U.S. policy objectives.
Future outlook
It remains unclear if WorldNewsOnline will resume operations. The company has not commented on whether it plans to challenge the restrictions or pivot to a different business model.
For now, Cubans seeking U.S. goods will have to rely on travelers or informal networks, which are less reliable and more expensive.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
