The head of the Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) Marketing Plant in Pinar del Río was arrested on Friday after being linked to the seizure of a truck carrying 79 cylinders illegally.
The information was shared on social media by the user Frank Enrique, who revealed the connection to the vehicle intercepted last Monday on the National Highway by police officers.
At that time, the news—reported by the official digital creator Alberto Roque Ramos—was shared by the website Cubadebate, which did not provide additional details regarding the circumstances of the event or the names of those involved.
At the end of October, it emerged in a Revolico group in Majagua, Ciego de Ávila, that the sale of a gas cylinder was priced at 45,000 pesos, rising to 60,000 CUP if the buyer was interested in obtaining the contract documents.
After a period of severe shortages, the distribution of LPG resumed last Friday in Cuba, following the arrival of a ship carrying 9,377 tons of the product to the "Hermanos Díaz" refinery in Santiago de Cuba. However, authorities acknowledged that the delivery will not meet the high demand that has built up in the country.
Irenaldo Pérez Cardoso, deputy director of the Cuba-Petroleum Union (CUPET), explained to Cubadebate that the current distribution aims to alleviate the "gap in fuel delivery" caused by delays in the arrival of LPG.
This supply shortage affected a significant portion of the 1.7 million registered customers on the island. In Havana, Artemisa, and Mayabeque, 20 percent of consumers were unable to receive the service, while in the rest of the country, the figure rose to 63 percent, equivalent to more than 735,000 customers.
As is often the case with the regime's excuses, the official attributed these difficulties to complications in international payments resulting from the economic sanctions imposed by the United States.
Pérez Cardoso explained that Cuba is now required to make a 100 percent payment before unloading, which increases shipping 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 gas 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 for these customers, based on lists published by the commercial houses, while in the other provinces, this process will last for five days.
Despite these efforts, the estimated coverage of LPG with the current delivery system is only 17 to 20 days. The authorities are also evaluating the reorganization of delivery cycles to serve more equitably, with particular attention to vulnerable households.
All of this while the island (and its millions of families) suffers from a severe energy crisis, with daily blackouts lasting up to 18 hours in some areas, and three failures of the National Electric System in the past two months.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Liquefied Gas Crisis and the Detention in Pinar del Río
Why was the head of the Gas Plant in Pinar del Río detained?
The head of the Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) Marketing Plant in Pinar del Río was arrested for his involvement in an illegal shipment of 79 gas cylinders. This seizure took place on the National Highway, highlighting the smuggling and corruption that persist in the Cuban energy sector.
What is the current situation of liquefied gas supply in Cuba?
The distribution of liquefied gas in Cuba is insufficient to meet the high existing demand. Despite the arrival of a ship with 9,377 tons of LPG, it is only estimated that the product will last for 17 to 20 days, leaving many households without this essential resource for cooking.
How do the scarcity of liquefied gas and power outages affect Cuban households?
The shortage of liquefied gas and prolonged blackouts are forcing Cuban families to seek alternatives for cooking, such as using wood or charcoal stoves. These methods are costly and highlight the severity of the energy crisis the country is experiencing, impacting the daily lives of its citizens.
What measures is the Cuban government taking to improve the distribution of liquefied gas?
The Cuban government has prioritized the distribution of liquefied gas for consumers who did not receive the product in the previous cycle. In provinces such as Havana, Mayabeque, and Artemisa, lists have been established to organize the delivery, although this solution is temporary due to current supply limitations.
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