The liquefied gas crisis in Cuba has reached alarming levels, directly impacting the daily lives of thousands of families who rely on this fuel for cooking. For months, citizens have been confronting long lines, uncertainty, and frustration due to the lack of supply. Social media and local news outlets depict a reality many describe as unsustainable: "We're back to using wood for cooking," they say, caught between indignation and resignation.
"This is an Odyssey! In Cuba, many things might be missing, but the disrespect towards the Cuban people never will. Every Saturday for over five months, the gas station in the Alex Urquiola neighborhood opens with the same message: 'No gas.' And on those rare days when cylinders do arrive, they are so scarce that they barely meet a fraction of the demand," lamented a Cuban social media user.
Her complaint, shared in the Facebook group 'Revolico Holguín. Here we don't sell potatoes,' was accompanied by a photo showing a crowd of customers waiting for liquefied gas cylinders in the said neighborhood.
Cubans Forced to Use Wood Amid Gas Shortage
The shortage of liquefied gas in Cuba has forced numerous families to resort to traditional methods for cooking. The lack of supply has led to extreme situations, such as that of a mother of triplets in Santiago de Cuba, who reported in October 2022 that she had to cook with wood due to the absence of gas and kerosene.
In Havana, a family was compelled in August 2023 to light wood fires on the street near the Train Terminal, highlighting the desperation faced due to the lack of cooking fuel.
The situation is even more dire in provinces like Granma, where authorities distributed wood to the population in October due to the shortage of coal and gas, underscoring the depth of the energy crisis the country is experiencing.
A Worsening Crisis Since 2024
The scarcity of liquefied gas is not a new phenomenon in Cuba, but since October 2024, the situation has significantly worsened, hitting a critical peak in December.
According to official data, provinces like Matanzas have been especially affected. Over 109,000 liquefied gas customers in this region face irregular supply while local officials acknowledge that demand far exceeds the current distribution capacity.
The authorities have attempted to prioritize delivery to those who have been without supply the longest, but this measure barely alleviates the frustration of a population dependent on gas for basic tasks.
José Luis Lemus Gil, director of the Territorial Division of Fuel Marketing in Matanzas, recently admitted to the official newspaper Girón that there are no short-term prospects for improvement, as the scarcity of cylinders and transportation issues worsen the situation.
Official Measures Fall Short
In response to this scenario, initiatives such as the "Mi Turno" app were implemented to digitalize and organize virtual queues for gas purchases. However, this solution does not address the root problem: the lack of product availability.
In provinces like Holguín, where morning lines have been a constant for five months, citizens complain that when cylinders arrive, they are not enough to cover even a fraction of the demand.
Another unsuccessful attempt to ease the crisis was the virtual store, which allowed customers to place gas orders through the EnZona platform. This service was suspended due to the shortage of cylinders and the product's deficit.
The halt of delivery personnel activities, responsible for delivering orders to vulnerable individuals, has been another blow to the most affected sectors, such as the elderly or people with disabilities.
Impact on Households and Economy
The lack of liquefied gas has forced many families to revert to practices once considered outdated, such as using wood for cooking, as reported in an article published by Girón under the headline "When There's No Gas... Add Wood to the Fire."
This return to the past not only symbolizes a decline in quality of life but also presents new challenges, from health issues due to smoke exposure to a significant environmental impact in rural areas where wood is collected.
Moreover, the situation indirectly affects electricity consumption. Without gas, many families rely solely on appliances for cooking, increasing the demand for electricity in a country already affected by an unstable energy system.
Informal Market and Institutional Silence
The gas shortage has also fueled activity in the informal market, where gas cylinders can reach exorbitant prices, exceeding $100 USD and up to $150 USD if the sale includes the contract.
This reality contrasts with the official cost of around $6.96 USD per cylinder, according to the Ministry of Energy and Mines. In this context, social media has become a platform for expressing public discontent, highlighting the silence of the institutions responsible for gas distribution.
Meanwhile, the lack of transparent information feeds rumors and speculation. Delays in the arrival of gas ships and irregularities detected at sales points only exacerbate citizens' distrust towards the authorities.
An Uncertain Future
Despite local efforts to address the crisis, prospects for a short-term solution appear bleak.
The shortage of cylinders, transportation issues, and the inability to meet demand remain insurmountable barriers today. Meanwhile, thousands of Cubans continue to adapt to a precarious reality, where obtaining a gas cylinder has become a privilege.
The liquefied gas crisis in Cuba reflects the multiple economic and social challenges the country faces. For most, endless waiting and insufficient solutions are the norm, while wood continues to burn in stoves and the indignation of a people weary of surviving in extreme conditions.
Understanding Cuba's Gas Crisis
Why is there a gas shortage in Cuba?
The gas shortage in Cuba is attributed to logistical difficulties, a lack of cylinders, and transportation issues, which have worsened since 2024, affecting distribution capabilities.
How are Cubans coping with the gas shortage?
Many Cubans have reverted to using wood for cooking as a traditional method due to the scarcity of liquefied gas, impacting health and the environment.
What measures have been taken to address the gas crisis?
Initiatives like the "Mi Turno" app and a virtual store were introduced to manage gas purchases, but these measures have not resolved the underlying issue of product availability.