A tanker loaded with liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) was anchored off the coast of Santiago de Cuba for nearly four months because the Cuban government lacked the funds to pay for the shipment. This was acknowledged by the Minister of Energy and Mines, Vicente de la O Levy, during the official podcast "Desde la Presidencia," hosted by ruler Miguel Díaz-Canel.
"Out of the 150 days that have passed this year, for 117 days, there has been no gas in Cuba," admitted the minister, explaining that during this period, "the ship was parked," visible from the shore by the residents of Santiago. "We couldn't unload it. We don't have financing. They don't give us payment terms," he candidly stated.
This is not an isolated incident; rather, it confirms that the financial collapse of the Cuban state is directly impacting the population's access to basic resources like domestic gas, which hundreds of thousands of families rely on for cooking.
Even though the government claims to have obtained the funds to pay, banking operations posed another insurmountable hurdle. According to De la O Levy, the tanker was stranded since late February or early March. During that time, government attempts to transfer the money failed. The regime had the funds but couldn't reach the supplier due to international restrictions.
"There have been instances where we've gone months with the money," the minister explained, in what represents an unprecedented admission of the operational and logistical challenges facing the regime, even with specific resources at hand.
Only now, after months of waiting, has the unloading of 1,300 tons of gas from the tanker begun. De la O Levy mentioned there is a second contracted and loaded ship, though he did not provide details regarding its location or whether the government can receive it.
Impact on Daily Life and Government Response
Since late 2024, Cuba has been grappling with a severe LPG shortage, essential for household cooking. This scarcity has forced citizens to endure long lines, even overnight, to try and obtain a gas cylinder.
The desperation has driven many to resort to using firewood or charcoal for cooking, practices considered outdated and indicative of a regression in living conditions. Additionally, new regulations for gas service have been implemented, including contract adjustments and service distribution, yet uncertainty about stable access to gas remains among the population.
Broader Energy and Economic Crisis
The LPG shortage is just one facet of the deep energy and economic crisis plaguing Cuba. Prolonged blackouts, fuel shortages, and the government's inability to ensure basic services have led to growing public discontent. Protests in eastern Cuba in March 2024, and others that have occurred this year, driven by food shortages and power outages, clearly illustrate the island's critical situation.
FAQs on Cuba's Energy Crisis
What caused the LPG tanker to remain anchored for so long?
The tanker remained anchored for nearly four months because the Cuban government lacked the funds to pay for the LPG shipment and faced banking restrictions that impeded money transfers to the supplier.
How has the LPG shortage affected Cuban households?
The LPG shortage has forced many Cuban households to wait in long lines for gas and resort to using firewood or charcoal for cooking, highlighting a regression in living standards.
What are some other effects of Cuba's energy crisis?
Alongside the LPG shortage, Cuba is experiencing prolonged blackouts, fuel shortages, and difficulties in guaranteeing basic services, leading to public protests and heightened discontent.