A Cuban identified as Sisi Aguilera posted two videos on Facebook that starkly depict the fuel crisis in Cuba.
Sisi explained that she arrived at a gas station at eight in the morning and was unable to complete the purchase until ten at night, more than 15 hours on the ground, hungry, tired, just to acquire 20 liters of gasoline.
During the entire wait, there was no electricity, internet, or mobile coverage in the area, making payment impossible, as at the Cuban state-run gas stations only bank cards are accepted and cash is not allowed.
"I arrived at eight in the morning and finished at ten at night. There was no electricity, no internet, no coverage. And without that, you can't pay because they don't accept cash, only card. I was lying on the floor of a gas station, hungry, sleepy, on the verge of giving up," recounted the woman in her posts.
The situation described by Aguilera is not an isolated case. The power outages affect up to 55% of the national territory, turning the simple task of refueling into a hours-long ordeal for thousands of Cubans.
The purchase of fuel is regulated in Cuba. Sisi had to wait almost four months to acquire her 20 liters of gasoline.
The shortage has driven prices up in the informal market. The Cuban explains that many people are already selling gasoline on the streets for $10 per liter.
Recently, it was reported that a Cuban paid 18,000 pesos for just three liters of gasoline, a figure that reflects the desperation of those who cannot afford to wait more than half a day in line.
The crisis is also worsening in the digital realm. The state application 'Ticket' has accumulated waiting lists of between 7,000 and 15,000 requests per gas station, highlighting the collapse of a system that cannot keep up with the population's demand.
The regime has made it clear that the fuel crisis in Cuba will not have an immediate solution.
Filed under: