Related videos:
Dozens of people gathered this Tuesday at El Calvario in Havana to try to obtain a small cylinder of liquefied gas, a product that is becoming increasingly scarce on the island and is essential for cooking food.
Images shared on social media and the independent outlet El Vigía de Cuba showed residents of the Arroyo Naranjo municipality holding empty cylinders, waiting in the sun and under precarious conditions, in a scene that reflects the severe supply crisis affecting the country.
The situation is not new. In December 2024, the Cuban regime announced the resumption of nationwide liquefied gas distribution after overcoming financial issues with international suppliers.
However, although the government claims that the product is available in "all provinces," the long lines in places like El Calvario demonstrate that the supply remains insufficient to meet demand.
In addition, the price of liquefied gas was increased by 20% at the beginning of 2024, a measure justified as necessary due to rising costs in the international market and the internal economic crisis. This adjustment has not only impacted the finances of Cubans, but has also heightened indignation, as it has not resulted in improved service or a fairer distribution.
In 2023, the regime implemented a package of economic measures ("ordering") that included increases in the prices of essential goods such as gas, arguing the need to "sustain the country's economy."
These measures, rather than alleviating the situation, have instead created greater uncertainty and difficulties for families who rely on liquid gas for cooking amidst ongoing power outages and food shortages.
The lines to obtain liquefied gas are not an isolated phenomenon. In October 2024, reports indicated waits of up to three days in various areas of Havana and other provinces, where people slept on the streets alongside their empty cylinders to secure a spot in line.
The delays in distribution are attributed to logistical issues, including a lack of fuel to transport the gas to sales points.
For many Cuban families, liquefied gas is the only viable option for cooking, as electric stoves are not functional due to frequent power outages, and charcoal burners are impractical and dangerous in urban settings.
However, access to gas is becoming increasingly limited, and the uncertainty about when the next supply will arrive is a constant source of concern for thousands of households.
The Cuban regime insists that it is doing everything possible to ensure distribution, but the reality reveals an inefficient system overwhelmed by high demand. Furthermore, the lack of transparency regarding distribution operations and the scarcity of official information exacerbate the population's mistrust, as they see no concrete solutions in the short term.
In places like El Calvario, the queues not only reflect the economic and social crisis in Cuba but also the deterioration of the quality of life in the country.
With high costs and uncertain availability, obtaining a gas cylinder has turned into a daily challenge for Cubans, who endure long waits in hopes of bringing home an essential resource for their daily needs.
Meanwhile, the situation remains critical, and every queue serves as a reminder of the regime's inability to provide the most basic goods, in a country where even the essentials have become an unattainable luxury for many.
Filed under: