Corruption and mismanagement continue to affect the state-owned CUPET (Cuba Petróleo), where, according to official statements, fuel thefts start in the very storage facilities.
During the program "Hacemos Cuba," hosted by official spokesperson Humberto López, the director of the fuel marketing company, Yarianna Guerra, publicly acknowledged that fuel theft originates from the large storage capacities, from which the product is distributed to the tankers responsible for supplying the gas stations.
Guerra explained that those involved alter the temperature records of the tanks to simulate higher levels of evaporation, allowing them to steal the difference.
"The reports indicate that there was a higher temperature because that implies greater fuel evaporation, and this is how they steal the difference," he clarified.
According to the official, in just one day, the losses from this type of theft can range from 20,000 to 30,000 liters of fuel, depending on the volume being handled and the storage capacity of the tanks belonging to the offenders.
CUPET acknowledges that several individuals are involved in these operations, including tanker truck operators, brigade leaders, security personnel, and some executives. As a result, they claim to have implemented disciplinary measures such as suspensions and dismissals across various regions.
The red dots of fuel theft in Cuba
The regime identified the places where fuel is most frequently stolen in the country:
- Generator sets, essential for providing power during blackouts.
- The storage bases of CUPET.
- The bus terminals of public transport.
Crimes are mainly committed during nighttime, taking advantage of the lack of supervision. Between January and August 2025, authorities claim to have recovered 350,000 liters of fuel in police operations.
Currently, the Ministry of the Interior (Minint) and the National Electric Union (UNE) are inspecting 100% of the generators in the country with the aim of stopping theft.
Despite official announcements, fuel theft in Cuba reflects the profound economic and moral crisis the country is experiencing, where the diversion of state resources has become a survival mechanism amid scarcity and low wages.
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