A truck carrying agricultural supplies belonging to the municipality of Los Palacios in Pinar del Río was intercepted on the highway by the police with "79 illegal liquefied gas cylinders."
The information—released on Facebook by the official digital creator Alberto Roque Ramos—was picked up by Cubadebate, which did not provide additional details about the circumstances of the incident or those involved.
“How much was this man making at the expense of the people? Given the situation with liquefied gas, he will now have to answer to the authorities,” questioned Roque Ramos when making the complaint.
As of the publication of this note, there are no further details about the incident, which occurs amid a severe shortage of the product, essential for cooking for many Cuban families, especially in light of increasing power outages that restrict the use of electric appliances.
At the end of October, it was reported in a Revolico group in Majagua, Ciego de Ávila, that a gas cylinder was being sold for 45,000 pesos, a price that increased to 60,000 CUP if the buyer was interested in obtaining the contract documents.
After a period of severe scarcity, the distribution of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) resumed last Friday in Cuba following the arrival of a ship carrying 9,377 tons of the product at the "Hermanos Díaz" refinery in Santiago de Cuba. However, authorities acknowledged that the delivery will not meet the high accumulated demand in the country.
Irenaldo Pérez Cardoso, deputy director of the Cuba-Petroleum Union (CUPET), explained to Cubadebate that the current distribution aims to mitigate the "gap in fuel delivery" caused by delays in the arrival of LPG.
This shortage affected a significant proportion of the 1.7 million registered customers on the island. In Havana, Artemisa, and Mayabeque, 20% of consumers were unable to receive service, while in the rest of the country, the figure rose to 63%, equivalent to over 735,000 customers.
The official attributed these difficulties to complications in international payments stemming from the economic sanctions imposed by the United States government. Pérez Cardoso specified that Cuba is now required to pay 100% upfront before unloading, which increases freight costs and causes additional delays due to issues with bank transfers.
To address the deficit, the distribution will prioritize those consumers who were unable to access LPG in the previous cycle.
In provinces such as Havana, Mayabeque, and Artemisa, during the first four days of delivery, the product will be exclusively available to these customers, based on lists published by the commercial houses. Meanwhile, in other provinces, this process will be extended to five days.
Despite these efforts, the estimated coverage of LPG with the current supply is only 17 to 20 days. Authorities are also assessing the reorganization of delivery cycles to serve consumers more equitably, with particular attention to vulnerable households.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Liquefied Gas Crisis in Cuba
What happened with the truck intercepted with liquefied gas in Cuba?
A state truck was intercepted on the highway by police with 79 illegal liquefied gas cylinders. This incident reflects the corruption and black market that exacerbate the gas shortage crisis on the island.
Why is there a shortage of liquefied gas in Cuba?
The shortage of liquefied gas in Cuba is due to financial and logistical issues affecting imports, worsened by U.S. economic sanctions. This has led to a limited distribution that fails to meet the high demand.
How is the government managing the distribution of liquefied gas?
The Cuban government prioritizes the distribution of liquefied gas to consumers who did not receive the product in the previous cycle. Lists are being implemented to organize the delivery in specific provinces during an initial distribution period.
What alternatives do Cubans have in light of the shortage of liquefied gas?
In light of the scarcity of liquefied gas, many Cubans are turning to wood or charcoal stoves for cooking. The sale of charcoal stoves has reemerged, although high prices reflect the seriousness of the energy crisis.
How long can the current liquefied gas delivery in Cuba last?
The estimated coverage of liquefied gas with the current supply is barely 17 to 20 days, which represents a temporary and limited solution to the existing demand in the country.
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