Corruption Scandal Uncovered: CUPET Executives Implicated in Havana Gas Company Scheme

The Cuban government has disclosed a corruption scandal involving the Havana Liquefied Gas Company, with high-ranking officials from the Unión Cuba Petróleo (CUPET) allegedly involved. According to the pro-government source, CiberGuerrero AntidelitosCubanos, which is linked to the Ministry of the Interior (MININT), a probe has revealed that the operations were orchestrated by Niuvis Suárez Mola and Iván Agustín Lora Alfredo, an employee and the director, respectively, of the Havana Liquefied Gas Company.

The scheme involved the systematic embezzlement of resources with the connivance of CUPET executives, who reportedly accepted bribes from Suárez Mola in exchange for facilitating irregular contracts and covering up her actions. A truck driver involved in the distribution of gas canisters, who was complicit with Suárez Mola, has been arrested on charges of embezzlement and illicit association. His identity remains undisclosed.

The report highlights that Suárez Mola and her subordinate, Amanda, were diverting gas canisters for illegal sale, transported by the arrested driver, who allegedly had a personal relationship with Suárez. Additionally, Suárez Mola and Amanda reportedly hoarded large quantities of condensed milk intended for employee allocations, distributing less than 30% to workers while stashing the rest in offices and homes of acquaintances.

According to the state-aligned media, these goods were used by Suárez Mola as bribery currency or for personal gain, as claimed by an anonymous source. Amanda was identified as one of the "masterminds" behind the scheme, orchestrating the theft of gas canisters and manipulating inventories to benefit private enterprises.

Continuing Theft Amid Shortages

Allegedly, the theft of products persisted during periods of extreme scarcity under Lora Alfredo's management. "The company's general director not only ignored the malpractices but also profited directly from them. He received a share of the misappropriated resources and used state workshops to repair private vehicles, exploiting public assets for personal gain," the report insisted.

An informant, referred to euphemistically as a "special agent infiltrated," indicated that Niuvis Suárez Mola sought to evade accountability and that the network extended beyond the gas company to key state structures.

Government Response and Broader Implications

In response to the scandal, the National Labor Inspection Office has announced an upcoming audit of the company's expenses, inventories, and budgets to determine the full extent of the diversions and ensure those responsible are held accountable.

These revelations come at a time when the distribution of liquefied gas in Cuba faces significant challenges, impacting millions of Cuban households reliant on this fuel for cooking. The instability in supply has led to frequent delays and sales restrictions, forcing authorities to explore alternatives to ensure availability.

This month also saw the recent arrest of a group involved in hoarding and reselling gasoline or charging for queue spots—known as "coleros"—to access the Alameda service station located at Santa Catalina and Poey. The chief prosecutor of the municipality, Rolando López Merino, stated that those involved in the black market for fuel would face severe penalties, highlighting that their crimes were committed during the nation's acute energy crisis, which will be an aggravating factor in court.

Nonetheless, his remarks overlooked the structural causes of the issue, stemming from poor government management, corruption within state enterprises, and a lack of transparency in resource distribution.