Residents of Sancti Spíritus have been struggling for nearly 50 days without access to liquefied gas, a critical fuel for cooking in a context already plagued by frequent power outages. This dire situation impacts hundreds of families who rely on this basic service to meet their minimum needs.
In a statement to the press, José Alberto Martínez, director of the Liquefied Gas Commercial House in the province, openly admitted that there is no available stock nationwide. Currently, the output from the Cienfuegos refinery is exclusively allocated to the Health and Education sectors, according to the state-run newspaper Escambray.
"Today, we continue to face a lack of liquefied gas inventory in the country," acknowledged the official. "We have no forecast; as soon as the gas enters the country and we are cleared, we will begin sales in the province," Martínez emphasized, offering little hope for a quick resolution to a problem that has forced many families to resort to alternative cooking methods like wood or charcoal, even in the 21st century.
When asked about the estimated date for supply restoration, the official was blunt: "We don't know." Despite street rumors suggesting a possible gas absence until 2026, the director denied such a scenario but could not provide assurance on when the issue would be resolved. "We don't think it will take a year or six months without selling gas," he stated.
The official also refuted claims that liquefied gas might only be sold in dollars when available again. "That is false," he responded to direct inquiries from the local press.
Despite the lack of concrete information and a clear distribution schedule, authorities have not offered viable alternatives for affected families, who face the dilemma of cooking without stable electricity or domestic gas amidst a deepening national energy crisis.
This extreme scarcity landscape has led to increased corruption related to the liquefied gas market. Recently, the Cuban regime unveiled a corruption scheme in the Havana Liquefied Gas Company involving executives from the Unión Cuba Petróleo (CUPET).
According to an official profile, an investigation revealed that operations were led by Niuvis Suárez Mola and Iván Agustín Lora Alfredo, an employee and director, respectively, of the Havana Liquefied Gas Company.
Understanding the Liquefied Gas Crisis in Cuba
What is causing the liquefied gas shortage in Sancti Spíritus?
The shortage is attributed to the lack of available gas inventory nationwide, with current production prioritized for the Health and Education sectors.
How are families coping with the gas shortage?
Many families are resorting to alternative cooking methods such as using wood or charcoal due to the lack of gas and frequent electricity outages.
Is there any indication of when the gas supply might resume?
Currently, there is no clear estimate on when the gas supply will resume, although officials have denied rumors of a prolonged absence lasting years.