LPG Unloading Begins in Santiago de Cuba After Lengthy Delay

A ship loaded with liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) docked at the Hermanos Díaz Refinery pier in Santiago de Cuba this Monday, initiating unloading operations after a prolonged period of anticipation and anxiety for residents in eastern Cuba. This development was confirmed by the refinery itself through a social media post, indicating that the unloading process would commence "within minutes," as part of efforts to restore supply to both households and essential centers in the region.

The refinery emphasized that their team is fully aware of the significance of this occasion, and measures have been implemented to ensure a swift and secure unloading process. State-run company Cupet has also verified the commencement of operations at the Santiago pier, where the LPG is being unloaded to supply the eastern region.

According to Cupet's official account on the social media platform X, distribution of the product is set to begin within a few hours, in accordance with a schedule previously outlined by energy authorities. This distribution plan was shared on Facebook on Monday by official spokesperson José Yaser Centray Soler, referencing statements from Lisset González Sardinas, who heads the Territorial Division of Fuel Commercialization in the province.

González explained that gas sales would resume on Tuesday in Santiago de Cuba, with the aim of reaching 100% of the population within a 24-day timeframe. She affirmed that there is guaranteed LPG coverage for all customers in the province, with the filling plant prepared to extract 14,000 cylinders daily, allocating 7,500 for Santiago de Cuba and the remainder for other eastern provinces.

Distribution Schedule and Prioritization

The production plan includes 4,000 cylinders during the morning shift and 3,500 in the afternoon, provided no industrial setbacks occur. Initially, the focus will be on the main municipality, starting Tuesday with high-rise buildings such as the 18-story towers on Garzón and Martí.

Distribution will continue on Wednesday with the 18-story buildings in Micro 9 and other tall structures in Trocha, Versalles, and the J Block of the José Martí Urban Center. The rollout will begin at the José Martí district's Commercial Houses, covering areas like El Cobre, Melgarejo, and Boniato. Subsequently, distribution will expand to eight points in the city center, followed by the districts of Antonio Maceo and Abel Santamaría, including El Caney.

From the ninth day onwards, supply will extend to settlements like El Brujo, Sevilla, El Espardillo, and El Castillito. The daily distribution schedule will be published on the official Telegram channel and in traditional and digital media outlets.

Distribution Mechanics and Customer Guidelines

Each sales point is set to receive at least 164 cylinders daily. During the initial rounds, priority will be given to customers who have not received LPG since January or earlier. Subsequent rounds will cater to those who made purchases up to February 15, and so on. Each household will be permitted a single purchase throughout this cycle, as emphasized by the official spokesperson.

The digital platform "Ticket" will be activated, offering 80 daily slots with a separate queue. Additionally, new rules will be established for in-person lines, now organized into three segments instead of four, and the composition of support teams leading sales at each point will be defined.

Preceding Crisis and National Impact

Prior to the arrival of the LPG shipment in Santiago de Cuba, the province faced a dire situation. Residents were experiencing a severe scarcity of necessities, with no rice in markets, halted gas supplies, and many families relying on charcoal for cooking. This energy crisis was not confined to the eastern part of the country; in Villa Clara, LPG sales were also suspended due to the stoppage of the filling plant, highlighting the nationwide nature of the issue.

The state company responsible for supply had urged patience but initially failed to provide specific dates for service normalization. Shortly thereafter, authorities announced that distribution would resume upon completion of the newly arrived gas unloading. They assured that the new cycle would meet all demand in Santiago de Cuba through a family-controlled system supported by digital platforms and a gradual sales schedule.