The fuel shortage in Cuba is evident not only in the irregularity and frequency of blackouts but also in the long lines at gas stations, which can last up to two or three days, such as those at Infanta and San Rafael and Bacuranao, both in Havana.
On the street, among the drivers, the most frequently asked question is where to find gasoline. The situation is so dire that the state-run media is making a concerted effort to announce the arrival of ships carrying fuel, like the one that arrived at the beginning of the month, which will allow Cuban airports to operate normally at least in December and January, following the warning issued by the airlines that primarily transport Russian travelers.
But that does not ease the long waits experienced by a reader of CiberCuba, who has sent photos of his distress to this portal.
"I am outraged by the situation of thousands of young drivers and older individuals who work as taxi drivers, many of whom are responsible for transporting patients in need of hemodialysis. I fully understand how this industry operates, as it was my job alongside my father before I moved to the United States. It is simply unfair that men with over 40 years of experience are spending 24 hours waiting in line for fuel at the Cupet in Zapata to fill up a state vehicle that is supposed to transport sick individuals because the designated Cupet has no fuel. It is a crime that these drivers are forced to wait 24 hours to fulfill their duties, which is nearly impossible given the current crisis. It is extremely unjust to place the responsibility on these drivers; that responsibility lies with the company and the government," he stated in his letter to CiberCuba.
Given this situation, the Gazelles microbus service, known as the "gacelas," in Havana, which consists of 435 vehicles across 23 routes, is facing serious difficulties. Currently, only between 225 and 228 of these vehicles are operational, representing about 60 percent of the fleet.
In a Facebook group specifically dedicated to sharing information about gasoline availability in Havana, users reported on Tuesday that fuel is available in Mazorra and at Acapulco on 26th Avenue in Nuevo Vedado, where there is "a terrible line." Fuel is also available in Lagueruela (Víbora), but they warn drivers to bring breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
They have also spotted the fuel truck unloading at Infanta and San Rafael, where the internet user Ciro Iglesias Pérez claims he has been sleeping in his car for two days. In the midst of the wait, he wrote: "It's incredible that no one from Cupet knows when the fuel will arrive. I wonder why no information is given about when gasoline will come in. I consider that a disrespect to the people who are facing so many problems and difficulties. Here, women are standing in line without moving. It's cold, and no one knows when the fuel will come in," he complained on Facebook.
But the problem is not just having to wait in line; it’s also that prices are skyrocketing. Last Sunday, December 9, an activist reported on social media that the price of gasoline has surged in the informal market, reaching exorbitant figures of up to 700 CUP per liter. All indications suggest that it will continue to rise, potentially reaching 1,000 pesos per liter, as it did during the massive blackout in October.
In any case, there are alerts in Facebook groups advising against buying gasoline from resellers because "it's available everywhere," noted a user named Talía Rodríguez, who faced widespread disbelief from her followers.
"Which Cupet? I've been looking for three days and it’s a mess," one person said. "Where is the Cupet? Where are the ones with big bellies?" another commented, referring to the leaders of the Communist Party of Cuba. "In Corral Falso, Guanabacoa, it hasn't been stocked for four days," another person affected by the shortages remarked.
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