On Monday, a ship loaded with liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) docked at the Hermanos Díaz Refinery in Santiago de Cuba, marking the beginning of unloading operations after months of waiting and uncertainty for the people of eastern Cuba.
The information was confirmed by the refinery itself through a post on social media, where it was stated that the unloading would begin "within minutes," as part of efforts to restore supply to homes and essential centers in the region.
The message emphasized that the refinery team is working "aware of the importance of this moment," and that measures have been implemented to ensure a smooth and safe unloading.
The state-run company Cupet confirmed the start of operations at the Santiago dock, where the unloading of liquefied gas that will supply the eastern region is taking place.
According to the entity's official account on the social media platform X, "the distribution of the product will begin in a few hours," in coordination with the schedule previously announced by the energy authorities.
The information about the distribution plan was published this Monday on Facebook by the official spokesperson José Yaser Centray Soler, who cited statements from Lisset González Sardinas, the director of the Territorial Fuel Marketing Division in the province.
According to González, the sale of gas will resume this Tuesday in Santiago de Cuba, with the goal of reaching 100% of the population within a period of 24 days.
The official assured that “there is guaranteed coverage of liquefied petroleum gas for all customers in the province” and specified that the filling plant has a plan for extracting 14,000 cylinders daily, of which 7,500 will be designated for Santiago de Cuba and the rest for other eastern provinces.
The production schedule includes 4,000 cylinders during the morning shift and 3,500 in the afternoon shift, as long as there are no industrial setbacks.
During the first four days, the focus will be on the main municipality, starting this Tuesday with the taller buildings, such as the 18-story Garzón and Martí.
On Wednesday, work will continue on the 18 buildings of Micro 9 and other high-rise properties in Trocha, Versalles, and Block J of the José Martí Urban Center.
The distribution will begin at the retail outlets of the Commercial Houses in the José Martí district, which includes the towns of El Cobre, Melgarejo, and Boniato.
Next, we will proceed to the eight points in the city center, and the following day, to the areas in the Antonio Maceo and Abel Santamaría districts, the latter including the town of El Caney.
Starting on the ninth day, the supply will be extended to settlements such as El Brujo, Sevilla, El Espardillo, and El Castillito. The distribution schedule will be published daily on the official Telegram channel and in traditional and digital media.
Each point of sale will receive at least 164 cylinders per day. In the first two rounds, customers who have not received LPG since January or earlier will be served.
The following rounds will be reserved for those who purchased until February 15, and so on. Each household will be allowed to buy only once during this cycle, the official spokesperson emphasized.
The digital platform "Ticket" will also be activated, with 80 daily slots, and will operate with a separate queue. Additionally, new rules will be implemented for in-person lines, which will now be organized into three segments instead of four, and the composition of the support teams that will lead sales at each point will be defined.
Days before the arrival of the liquefied gas shipment in Santiago de Cuba, the situation in the province was critical. The population was facing a severe shortage: there was no rice available in the markets, the gas supply was halted, and many families depended on charcoal for cooking.
The energy crisis was not exclusive to the eastern part of the country. In Villa Clara, the sale of liquefied gas was also suspended due to the shutdown of the filling plant, a clear indication that the impact was nationwide. The state-owned company responsible for the supply requested patience, but at that time did not provide specific dates for the restoration of service.
Shortly thereafter, authorities announced that distribution would resume once the offloading of the newly arrived gas was completed. It was assured that the new cycle would meet all demand in Santiago de Cuba through a family-controlled system, supported by digital platforms and a gradual sales schedule.
Frequently Asked Questions about Liquefied Gas Distribution in Cuba
Why has there been a shortage of liquefied gas in Cuba?
The shortage of liquefied gas in Cuba has been primarily due to financial issues that have affected payments to international suppliers, which has prevented the unloading of ships and resulted in a lack of supply in the country. This situation has been exacerbated by international economic sanctions and logistical difficulties.
How is the Cuban government managing the distribution of liquefied gas?
The Cuban government has begun to unload a liquefied gas ship in Santiago de Cuba to resume supply in the eastern region. A distribution schedule has been established that prioritizes consumers who have not received the product since the beginning of the year, and 100% coverage of the population in Santiago de Cuba has been ensured within a period of 24 days, provided there are no industrial setbacks.
What alternatives have Cubans adopted in the absence of liquefied gas?
Due to the lack of liquefied gas, many Cubans have turned to alternative methods such as wood or charcoal stoves. This situation reflects a setback in living conditions and poses risks to health and the environment, although authorities are trying to alleviate the shortage with the arrival of new supplies.
When is the shortage of liquefied gas expected to improve in Cuba?
The situation of the liquefied gas shortage in Cuba could begin to improve with the current unloading of ships in Santiago de Cuba, but the complete normalization of supply will depend on the government's ability to maintain payments to international suppliers and efficiently manage the distribution of LPG throughout the country.
Filed under: