The Cuban government has announced the resumption of liquefied gas sales following a partial offloading of a vessel that had been stationed at a Cuban port for several weeks. This move aims to alleviate the ongoing crisis that has gripped the nation. Energy and Mines Minister Vicente de la O Levy shared this update on social media platform X, stating that the offloading was made possible only after payments were settled with the supplier, who agreed to a limited discharge, indicating that this is merely a temporary fix.
De la O Levy further mentioned that the sale of this crucial fuel would commence within hours. For weeks, the distribution and sale of liquefied gas—a highly sought-after commodity for households with gas stoves—had been at a standstill. With the persistent power outages plaguing the island, gas remains essential for cooking. However, many Cuban homes lack electric stoves, forcing residents to resort to wood or charcoal stoves.
The Return of Charcoal Stoves
In late May, officials in Santiago de Cuba began selling charcoal to the public as an alternative solution to the ongoing energy and fuel shortages. This has led to a resurgence in the charcoal stove market in various cities, providing a means for cooking amidst the crisis. On Facebook groups in Las Tunas, there are numerous listings for these stoves, reminiscent of the "Special Period" in the 1990s. Prices can reach up to 2,500 pesos, exceeding the minimum wage, according to local classifieds. In Camagüey, similar stoves are being sold for as much as 1,200 pesos.
Crisis Management Through Payment and Supply
This year is not the first time the Cuban government has been dependent on settling payments to offload vital supplies from ships docked at Cuban ports, while citizens endure widespread shortages. In June, the Cuba-Petroleum Union (CUPET) informed its customers about the resumption of rationed liquefied gas sales following the arrival of shipments in ports such as Santiago de Cuba and Havana.
Earlier in 2024, the Cuban regime increased the price of liquefied gas by 20 percent. Starting March 1, customers who previously paid 180 CUP for a cylinder now pay 225 Cuban pesos for 20 pounds of liquefied gas, adding further strain to the already burdened populace.