A robbery at a liquefied gas sales point in the Silvio Caro People’s Council in Bahía Honda, Artemisa, turned out to be a setup organized by the very manager of the establishment.
The officialist profile “Artemisa No Se Calla” reported this Monday on Facebook that the case involved the disappearance of 40 gas cylinders that were not stolen by thieves but were diverted by the person in charge of the point, in collusion with others.
The investigation led to the arrest of three individuals —including the head of the gas station— who confessed to staging the fake robbery to cover up the diversion of fuel.
So far, the authorities have managed to recover 20 of the balloons, emphasized the regime's spokesperson profile.
The modus operandi involved simulating a violent robbery to justify the absence of the product and facilitate its diversion for illicit purposes, according to details shared by the source.
The individuals involved will face charges of fraud and misappropriation of resources. Additionally, the search for the remaining 20 cylinders continues, while authorities investigate the potential existence of other accomplices.
The reporting profile described the incident as a sign of the lucrative black market that operates around essential resources for the population and urged citizens to cooperate with the authorities through anonymous reports.
The scarcity of liquefied gas for cooking in Cuba has created a vast market that encourages illegal behavior.
In June, a network that was engaged in the theft and illegal resale of gas canisters in the province of Sancti Spíritus, between January and May of this year, was dismantled by forces from the Ministry of the Interior (MININT), according to official sources.
Lieutenant Colonel Rolando Rodríguez Carmenate, head of the Criminal Investigation Department of MININT, told Radio Sancti Spíritus that the gang consisted of four individuals: two of them carried out the thefts in the main municipality, while the other two received and resold the cylinders in that city and in the community of Meneses, in the municipality of Yaguajay.
The modus operandi of the network was to take advantage of nighttime hours to break into vulnerable homes, from which they would steal gas canisters to sell on the black market at prices well above the official value.
Frequently Asked Questions about Fraud and Corruption in Gas Supply in Cuba
What happened to the 40 gas cylinders in Artemisa?
The head of the sales point staged a robbery to divert 40 liquefied gas cylinders, in collusion with others. The authorities have recovered 20 cylinders and continue to investigate.
How does corruption affect the gas supply in Cuba?
Corruption in Cuba, as evidenced by cases of gas cylinder diversion, seriously affects the distribution of essential resources. Corruption networks and the black market hinder equitable access to basic products such as liquefied gas.
What measures are the Cuban authorities taking against fraud in the gas sector?
Authorities have intensified investigations and arrests of those involved in gas-related fraud. Operations have been conducted to dismantle theft and illegal resale networks, and anonymous reports are being encouraged to identify those responsible.
Why is there a shortage of liquefied gas in Cuba?
The scarcity of liquefied gas in Cuba is due to the energy crisis, financial issues in paying for imports, and corruption that diverts resources to the black market. This has led to limited distribution and high unmet demand.
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