A truck from the Agricultural Supplies division in the municipality of Los Palacios, Pinar del Río, was stopped by police on the highway carrying an illegal load of 79 cylinders of liquefied gas. This incident was publicized on Facebook by pro-government digital creator Alberto Roque Ramos and later reported by Cubadebate, though they provided no further details regarding the event's circumstances or those involved.
Roque Ramos, in his denunciation, questioned, "How much was this man earning at the expense of the people? Especially with the current situation of liquefied gas. Now he must answer to the authorities."
As of the closing of this report, no additional details are available about the incident, which occurs amidst a severe shortage of this essential product for cooking in many Cuban households, particularly given the increasing power outages that restrict the use of electrical appliances.
Late October, it was reported in a Revolico group from Majagua, Ciego de Ávila, that the price for a gas cylinder had reached 45,000 pesos, escalating to 60,000 CUP if the buyer required contract documentation.
Liquefied Gas Distribution Struggles in Cuba
After a period of acute scarcity, the distribution of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) resumed last Friday in Cuba following the arrival of a ship carrying 9,377 tons of the product to the "Hermanos Díaz" refinery in Santiago de Cuba. However, authorities acknowledged that this delivery would not meet the significant accumulated demand in the nation.
Irenaldo Pérez Cardoso, deputy director of the Unión Cuba-Petróleo (CUPET), informed Cubadebate that the current distribution aims to alleviate the "fuel delivery gap" caused by delays in the LPG's arrival.
This shortage affected a substantial portion of the 1.7 million registered consumers on the island. In Havana, Artemisa, and Mayabeque, 20% of users failed to receive the service, while in other regions, the figure rose to 63%, affecting more than 735,000 customers.
Economic Sanctions and Distribution Plans
The official attributed these challenges to complications in international payments resulting from economic sanctions imposed by the United States government. Pérez Cardoso elaborated that Cuba is now required to pay 100% upfront before unloading, increasing freight costs and causing further delays due to banking transfer issues.
To address the deficit, distribution will prioritize consumers who missed out on LPG in the previous cycle. In provinces such as Havana, Mayabeque, and Artemisa, during the first four days of delivery, the product will be exclusively for these customers, based on lists published by commercial houses. Meanwhile, in other provinces, this process will extend over five days.
Despite these efforts, the estimated LPG coverage with the current delivery is only about 17 to 20 days. Authorities are also considering reorganizing delivery cycles to more equitably serve consumers, with special attention to vulnerable family units.
Key Questions about Cuba's LPG Shortage
What led to the arrest of the state truck in Cuba?
Authorities intercepted the truck on the highway carrying 79 illegal cylinders of liquefied gas, a commodity currently in short supply in Cuba.
How is the LPG shortage affecting Cuban households?
The shortage has made it difficult for many Cuban families to cook, especially during the frequent power outages that limit the use of electric appliances.
What are the causes of the LPG supply issues in Cuba?
The supply issues are mainly due to delays in LPG shipments and complications with international payments, exacerbated by U.S. economic sanctions requiring upfront payments.