The implementation of measures to tackle the fuel crisis in Cuba was the focus of the monthly meeting with top government officials, led on February 16 by Prime Minister Manuel Marrero.
During the meeting, Marrero emphasized the urgency of advancing the replacement of fuels and strengthening alternatives at the local level to mitigate the impact of the current energy crisis.
"We have an essential need for the substitution of fuels, seeking local solutions. There needs to be a more rigorous control of the progress made across all sectors and locations, associated with the search for alternatives," said Marrero.
The Prime Minister requested stricter monitoring of the actions regarding this matter in each territory, in a context marked by frequent blackouts and limitations in the supply of fuels in Cuba.
Moreover, he acknowledged the role of non-state management forms, the Cuban small and medium-sized enterprises, which have started to import fuels.
“We must acknowledge that there are contributions from non-state management models to ensure the vitality of some important centers,” he stated.
Opening up Cuban SMEs for fuel imports
The public acknowledgment comes days after the Minister of Foreign Trade and Foreign Investment, Óscar Pérez-Oliva Fraga, announced that the government will allow companies to purchase fuels abroad.
“Let’s diversify the fuel importers in the country. We are making it easier and authorizing any company that has the ability to acquire fuel to purchase it,” declared the minister.
On social media, the announcement generated mixed reactions, with concerns about costs, state involvement, and the final impact on the price per liter.
Currently, no official details have been released regarding trade margins or approval timelines for purchases, factors that will be crucial in assessing the actual impact of the measure and the role that Cuban mipymes can play in the face of fuel shortages in the country.
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