Amid the energy crisis affecting the Cuban population, an activist reported on social media this Sunday that the price of gasoline has surged in the informal market, reaching exorbitant levels.
The activist Johanna Jolá Álvarez reported on Facebook that the prices of gasoline on the black market are reaching alarming levels.
"I was just offered gasoline at 700 CUP per liter. I don't even know how to respond. What a terrible reality we are living in!" they expressed in their post, accompanied by emojis that reflect their shock and indignation.
In the comments section, the activist, who leads the solidarity project "Huellas," expressed her concern about the challenges in collecting donations due to the lack of fuel.
"My desperation regarding fuel is precisely that I don't have any to collect donations. Our people in Guantánamo truly need help... it’s chaotic," he noted.
He also described the alarming situation of extreme poverty in that region: “I have never seen in my life a people so abandoned to their fate. The soul shatters from the pain of witnessing such extreme misery, such survival at the very limits of what is humanly possible.”
The activist shared the heartbreaking testimony of children who "take and eat concoctions made with herbs because their parents have nothing else to give them," describing this as a "devastating" reality, further worsened by the absence of authorities amidst this crisis.
In the comments section, several people also confirmed the severity of the fuel access crisis in various parts of Cuba.
Himerio Martínez Cañedo, a resident of Guanabacoa, shared an account of the situation he witnesses every day: “I live across from the Cupet gas station at Corral Falso, and the drivers, along with the gas attendants, have been sleeping on my porch for four days, enduring the cold of the early morning and even the rain that fell yesterday.”
Martínez warned that prices may continue to rise: “In a few days, it will be at a thousand.” He also expressed his concern about the extreme conditions the population is facing due to this crisis: “It’s terrible what is happening. I hope it improves this week,” he concluded.
"It's been like this for a while. And the first time the National Electric System (SEN) went down, it reached 1,000 pesos per liter," denounced Luis Villalobos Argilagos.
The internet user also suggested that, lately, the increase in gasoline demand might be linked to the need to power the generators that many families have at home as a solution to frequent power outages.
The crisis with fuel is not limited to Havana. In Cienfuegos, the authorities of the Provincial Government of the People's Power announced a set of strict measures to regulate the sale of gasoline in the region.
This set of regulations, which came into effect on December 2, 2024, aims to combat irregularities and prevent criminal acts related to fuel marketing amid a deep energy crisis affecting the entire nation.
The statement imposes restrictions on both the amount of fuel that individuals can purchase and the authorized sales points.
The Cuban comedian Otto Ortiz recently spoke out about the difficult situation regarding fuel on the island. He recounted that he borrowed a car to get around, but soon ran out of gasoline.
"I started calling friends, the rescue and salvage brigade, and no one could," he wrote, reflecting the precariousness of the situation while still maintaining the humor that characterizes him.
After two hours of waiting, one of his friends, Albertico, arrived to help him, but, as often happens on the island, he also didn't have any gas.
This situation is compounded by the crisis affecting the Gazelle minibus service in Havana, where only 60% of the fleet is operational due to the daily allocation of 9,800 liters of diesel being insufficient, as reported by the Ministry of Transportation.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Energy Crisis and Gasoline Prices in Cuba
What is the current price of gasoline on the black market in Cuba?
The price of gasoline on the black market in Cuba has reached 700 pesos per liter. This figure has been reported by activists such as Johanna Jolá Álvarez and reflects a serious energy supply crisis on the island.
What measures has the Cuban government taken to regulate the sale of gasoline?
In Cienfuegos, the authorities have implemented a series of strict measures to regulate the sale of gasoline, aiming to combat irregularities and prevent criminal activities related to fuel. These measures include restrictions on the amount of fuel that individuals can purchase and a limitation on the number of sales points.
How is the fuel crisis affecting the Cuban population?
The fuel crisis in Cuba is severely impacting the daily lives of citizens, who are facing challenges in carrying out basic activities such as collecting donations or getting around. Furthermore, this situation has led to a rise in black market prices and an alarming shortage of resources in regions like Guantánamo.
What is the relationship between the gasoline crisis and blackouts in Cuba?
The gasoline crisis in Cuba is linked to the demand for fuel for home power plants, which many families use to cope with the ongoing blackouts. This increase in gasoline demand has worsened the shortage and contributed to rising prices in the black market.
Filed under: