Revelation of a corruption scheme in the liquefied gas company: CUPET executives are accomplices

The Cuban regime revealed a corruption scheme in the Liquefied Gas Company of Havana, involving executives from Unión Cuba Petróleo (CUPET).

According to the report from the official profile CiberGuerrero AntidelitosCubanos, linked to the Ministry of the Interior (MININT), an investigation has revealed that the operations were led by Niuvis Suárez Mola and Iván Agustín Lora Alfredo, employee and director, respectively, of the Liquefied Gas Company of Havana.

The plot involves the systematic diversion of resources and the complicity of CUPET executives, who allegedly received bribes from Niuvis Suárez Mola in exchange for facilitating irregular contracts and covering up their actions.

A truck driver distributing gas canisters, an accomplice of Suárez Mola, was arrested on charges of embezzlement and illegal association. The man's identity was not disclosed.

The report states that Suárez Mola and his subordinate, Amanda, were diverting gas cylinders for illegal sale and these were transported by the detainee, who had a personal relationship with Suárez.

Presumably, Suárez Mola and Amanda had also "hoarded large quantities" of condensed milk intended for labor distributions, and they would have distributed less than 30% to the workers, hiding the rest in offices and homes of acquaintances.

“She used these products as bribery currency or to enrich herself,” reported the state-run media based on statements from an alleged anonymous source.

Amanda was identified as one of the "masterminds" behind the scheme. She coordinated the theft of gas cartridges and the manipulation of inventories to benefit private businesses.

At the company, it appears that product theft continued during periods of greatest scarcity, and all of this would have occurred under the leadership of Lora Alfredo.

"The general director of the company not only ignored the irregularities, but also directly benefited from them. In addition to receiving part of the misappropriated resources, he used state workshops to repair private vehicles, profiting from public assets," the note emphasized.

A informant, whom the report euphemistically refers to as a "special undercover agent," indicated that Niuvis Suárez Mola was trying to evade responsibilities and that the network extended beyond the gas company, reaching key state structures.

In light of the magnitude of the events, the National Labor Inspection Office stated that it will initiate an inspection at the company to audit expenses, inventories, and budgets. "The goal: to determine the full extent of the discrepancies and ensure that those responsible are held accountable."

These events occur in a context where the distribution of liquefied gas in Cuba has faced serious challenges, impacting millions of Cuban households that rely on this fuel for cooking.

The instability in supply has resulted in ongoing delays and limitations in sales, forcing authorities to seek alternatives to ensure availability.

This month, news also emerged about the recent arrest of a group of citizens who were hoarding and reselling gasoline or charging for access—known as "coleros"—to the Alameda service station, located at Santa Catalina and Poey.

The chief prosecutor of the municipality, Rolando López Merino, stated that those involved in the black market for fuel will face severe penalties, as they committed their offenses at a time when the country is experiencing a severe energy crisis, which will be considered an aggravating factor during the trial.

However, his speech ignored the structural causes of the problem, stemming from poor government management, corruption within state-owned enterprises, and the lack of transparency in resource distribution.

Frequently Asked Questions about Corruption in the Liquefied Gas Company of Havana and the Situation of Liquefied Gas in Cuba