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The Cuba-Petroleum Union (CUPET) provided further details this Wednesday regarding the new regulations on fuel marketing at service stations in the country due to the shortage of special gasoline.
In a post on their page on the social network Facebook, the conglomerate announced the main measures, including that holders of private sector fuel cards will continue to have access to all types of gasoline available.
Main measures:
A new method of selling gasoline begins at all service stations across the country, due to the shortage of premium gasoline.
It has been decided, based on national productions, to guarantee the network of service stations in USD.
The responsibility of CUPET is the production of those fuels.
-Regular gasoline will be consumed. The plan for the day is to distribute 900 tons between regular gasoline and fuel.
The official Cimex Corporation S.A., responsible for the sale of special gasoline, will implement a series of actions tonight at 12:00 that will allow state sector gasoline cards to cover purchases of regular service.
The private sector is not affected by these measures, as its card allows access to all types of fuels.
Authorities claim that these measures aim to optimize fuel distribution in light of current supply limitations, which deepens the dollarization of the energy sector.
Dollarization of fuel in Cuba
This restriction adds to the Cuban regime's trend of conditioning access to essential goods on payment in foreign currency. In recent months, authorities have increased the number of gas stations that operate exclusively in dollars.
In January 2024, nearly 30 service stations began selling fuel exclusively in USD, a number that continued to rise with the opening of another 17 gas stations under the same scheme in May 2024.
The regime argued that selling in dollars would ensure a fuel supply and reduce the long lines at gas stations that accepted payments in Cuban pesos.
However, the measure has been heavily criticized for excluding the majority of the population, whose income is in national currency and who do not have direct access to foreign currency.
Fuel crisis and economic difficulties
La crisis del combustible se ha intensificado en los últimos meses, with constant reports of shortages, long lines at gas stations, and restrictions on sales.
The limitation on the sale of premium gasoline reinforces the perception that the State prioritizes the collection of foreign currency over equitable access to resources.
The increasing use of the dollar in official transactions is part of a broader economic policy of partial dollarization, which has extended to sectors such as food, the sale of appliances, and now, fuel.
In December 2024, the Cuban regime approved a document that officially regulates the circulation of the dollar in the country, consolidating its role as the reference currency for many economic activities, while the Cuban peso continues to lose value.
The CUPET measure has no expiration date, and the government has not announced alternatives for those who do not handle foreign currency, leaving a large portion of the population without access to special gasoline.
Frequently Asked Questions About Gasoline Sales in Cuba Amid the Energy Crisis
What changes has CUPET implemented in gasoline sales in Cuba?
CUPET has initiated a new method of gasoline sales at all service stations across the country due to the shortage of special gasoline. This measure includes the partial dollarization of the energy sector, allowing private sector fuel cards to access all types of available gasoline, while state sector cards are limited to purchasing regular gasoline.
Why is the Cuban government selling gasoline in dollars?
The Cuban government sells gasoline in dollars to ensure fuel supply and reduce long lines at gas stations that accept Cuban pesos. However, this measure has been criticized for excluding the majority of the population who do not have access to foreign currency.
How does the dollarization of fuel affect the Cuban population?
The dollarization of fuel in Cuba primarily affects those who do not have access to foreign currency, as it limits their ability to acquire essential goods such as special gasoline. This increases inequality in access to basic resources and deepens the country's economic crisis.
What alternatives does the Cuban population have to face the fuel crisis?
In light of the fuel crisis, the Cuban population has turned to alternative methods such as using bicycles, limited public transport, and carpooling to cut costs. There has also been an increase in the sale of gasoline on the black market, where prices are significantly higher.
What measures are being taken to improve the energy situation in Cuba?
The Cuban government has promised to unload and distribute 2,000 tons of diesel daily to reduce blackouts, although weather conditions have delayed these actions. These measures are expected to help operate most of the distributed generation groups and reduce the frequency of blackouts.
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