On Friday, Cuba resumed the distribution of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) following the arrival of a ship carrying 9,377 tons of the product at the "Hermanos Díaz" refinery in Santiago de Cuba. However, authorities acknowledged that the supply would not meet the high accumulated demand across the nation.
Irenaldo Pérez Cardoso, deputy director of the Union Cuba-Petroleum, shared with CubaDebate that the current distribution seeks to alleviate the "gap in fuel delivery" caused by delays in the arrival of LPG. This shortage impacted a significant portion of the 1.7 million registered customers on the island.
In regions such as Havana, Artemisa, and Mayabeque, 20% of consumers were unable to receive the service, while in the rest of the country, the figure rose to 63%, affecting over 735,000 clients. The official attributed these challenges to international payment complications due to economic sanctions imposed by the United States government. "We are now required to pay 100% before unloading, which increases freight costs and causes additional delays due to banking transfer issues," he explained.
To address the deficit, priority will be given to consumers who missed out on LPG in the previous cycle. In provinces like Havana, Mayabeque, and Artemisa, the product will be exclusively delivered to these clients during the first four days of distribution, based on lists provided by commercial houses. Meanwhile, the process in other provinces will extend over five days.
Despite these efforts, the estimated LPG coverage with the current supply is only 17 to 20 days. Authorities are also considering reorganizing delivery cycles to better serve consumers, with a focus on vulnerable households.
This limited distribution underscores the ongoing energy crisis facing the island, worsened by logistical and economic challenges complicating fuel acquisition and delivery. The arrival of LPG in eastern Cuba occurs amidst a severe shortage, crucial for cooking, especially given power outages that restrict the use of electric appliances.
In recent weeks, residents have endured long lines and heightened tensions due to the scarcity of the resource, compounded by prolonged electrical blackouts affecting the entire country.
Understanding the LPG Distribution Challenges in Cuba
Why is there a shortage of LPG in Cuba?
The shortage of LPG in Cuba is primarily due to delays in the arrival of shipments and complications in international payments, exacerbated by U.S. economic sanctions.
Who is being prioritized in the LPG distribution?
Priority in LPG distribution is given to consumers who did not receive the product in the previous cycle, with a focus on vulnerable households.
How long is the current LPG supply expected to last?
The current LPG supply in Cuba is estimated to last between 17 and 20 days.