Residents of the Micro 7 neighborhood in Santiago de Cuba are raising concerns about irregularities, corruption, and unequal treatment at gas station No. 66, where the scarce distribution of gas canisters turns a basic necessity into a constant source of conflict.
The complaint was made by residents of the José Martí district and shared this Friday through the Facebook profile of independent journalist Yosmany Mayeta Labrada, who documented the discontent caused by the limited number of bullets assigned to a densely populated neighborhood.
According to testimonies, the scarcity is worsened by chaotic management and abusive practices in organizing the queues.
Residents directly point to government officials and local leaders, whom they accuse of favoring friends, manipulating lists, and allowing the resale of appointments, leaving out families who wait for hours or even days.
While some wake up early and endure long lines, others obtain gas without going through the regular process.
Inequality in access is one of the elements that generates the most outrage among those affected.
For the neighbors, gas is not a privilege but an essential necessity for cooking, which is why they find it unacceptable that its distribution is influenced by favoritism and corruption.
The complainants demand that the situation regarding the gas station in Micro 7 be investigated and that a real control be established to ensure transparency and fairness.
They assert that the problem is not limited to the low amount of bullets, but rather to a system that allows for systematic abuses consistently to the detriment of the same sectors of the population.
Reactions
The comments from citizens of various areas of Santiago de Cuba and other regions agreed that the reported irregularities are not an isolated occurrence.
Users stated that in other gas stations, the endless lines, the illegal selling of turns, the complicity of officials, and the exclusion of vulnerable individuals, including the elderly and the sick, are recurring issues.
Many have labeled the distribution system as a "mafia" and reported that gas has become a business where money and connections dominate, while the majority face a daily life marked by scarcity, power outages, and the inability to meet basic needs.
The Minister of Energy and Mines, Vicente de la O Levy, stated in remarks to state television that the country expects to begin next year with a "higher level" of gas production and electricity generation.
Cuba is facing a crisis in liquefied gas supply, with prolonged interruptions and limited distribution.
The provinces depend on the timely arrival of vessels for resupply, which creates uncertainty and scarcity at the national level. Authorities have implemented restrictive measures, but the situation remains critical.
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