Humberto López Claims a "Line-Cutter" Offered to Move Him Up in Gas Queue for 1,500 Pesos

Recently, Cuban state media spokesman Humberto López revealed that he was approached by a "line-cutter" who offered to move him ahead in a gas station queue for 1,500 Cuban pesos. This incident highlights a widespread issue that impacts countless citizens throughout the island.

During a segment on the Cuban television program "Buenos días," López recounted that while waiting in a lengthy line at a gas station, someone discreetly approached him with the offer to expedite his wait for the specified amount. "I did some fieldwork. We've been meeting for several days to prepare for this appearance today, and on Sunday I decided to visit some Cupet stations. At some, I didn't notice anything unusual, but when I arrived at the Cupet in the Playa municipality, there were four or five individuals nearby. They weren't far from the Cupet area," López explained to his guests in the studio.

López further elaborated, "One of them, who seemed to be in charge of the line, immediately told me, 'A truck is coming, don't wait in line, 1,500 pesos and you'll be first.' Generally, when you arrive somewhere, people recognize you, but fortunately, he didn't know me and made the offer, allowing me to understand what was happening."

López described the incident as a clear example of everyday corruption. "I told him 'no, I'm not interested,' but that wasn't enough. A second person approached me and said, 'This is a Cupet that deals in dollars. The truck is coming, it'll take an hour to unload. Pay me 500 pesos in national currency per liter and go to 42nd, where there's another Cupet at 39th and 42nd. You'll get the fuel you pay me for. Just pay me in cash in national currency the equivalent of what you'd pay in dollars, and they'll fill you up there. You won't have to pay anything else, just tell them I sent you,'" López continued.

This report sparked discussions on YouTube, where the program was shared, with some users criticizing the timing and depth of the complaint. Many reactions focused on the Cuban government's handling of the situation: "The real issue is how the government has driven this country into misery. They're so shameless that they tell you gas is in dollars," one user commented.

Another user questioned the practicality of waiting in long lines: "People need their vehicles for work. Waiting in line for fuel to arrive at the Cupet and then for your turn is unreasonable. I think Telegram is the best option."

There were also criticisms directed at how authorities manage such situations: "In my municipality, a list was created for all vehicles in the area, and it worked well until the provincial Cupet head in Granma objected and opened gasoline sales for anyone. Result: only line-cutters and resellers bought."

From another perspective, many Cubans argue that this type of corruption is a direct result of the economic and social crisis caused by the government's management. They question López's sincerity and the depth of his denunciation, given his known support for a political system that enables these illegal practices.

Endless lines to purchase fuel have become a norm in Cuba due to the chronic shortages plaguing the country, creating a fertile ground for illicit activities like resale or paying to bypass queues.