The distribution of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) has been put on hold across nearly all Cuban provinces. This suspension follows the depletion of the inventory from the last ship that docked in the island back in May, as confirmed by Irenaldo Pérez Cardoso, the deputy director of the Unión Cuba Petróleo, to Granma. Although the LPG supply lasted over 30 days, future availability now hinges on the arrival of the next tanker. While this vessel is currently in national waters, its unloading is contingent upon Cuba completing its payment to the supplier, officials admitted.
Official reports indicate that the previous inventory covered 66% of the sales in Havana, Artemisa, and Mayabeque. In contrast, the rest of the country saw an average coverage ranging between 50% and 60%. The government has assured that critical socio-economic centers will not face shortages. A portion of the limited national LPG production from the Cienfuegos refinery and the Energas plant in Puerto Escondido will be allocated to maintain prioritized services.
This latest crisis underscores Cuba's profound reliance on incoming shipments and the precarious nature of its domestic gas supply. It is not uncommon for vessels to be delayed from docking due to payment issues, a scenario that has become routine in recent years. The regime attributes these challenges to financial constraints and the economic sanctions imposed by the United States, labeling them as part of a "multidimensional blockade."
The recurring interruptions in domestic gas distribution are not new. For months, even years, Cuba has grappled with periodic supply disruptions, heavily reliant on the timely arrival of ships and the government's ability to make payments. Each time reserves run out, the population faces prolonged waits and uncertainty about when they will be able to cook with gas again.
The situation appears to be worsening rather than improving in a nation mired in an absolute crisis, with an economy plagued by inflation, food and medicine shortages, and growing social unrest. Currently, there seems to be no resolution in sight to overcome the acute dependency on sporadic imports to ensure a basic service like liquefied gas.
Understanding Cuba's LPG Supply Challenges
Why has Cuba stopped selling liquefied gas?
Cuba has halted the sale of liquefied petroleum gas because the inventory from the last shipment has been depleted. Future availability is dependent on the arrival of a new shipment, which is delayed due to pending payments to the supplier.
What measures is the Cuban government taking to address the LPG shortage?
The Cuban government plans to allocate part of the limited national LPG production to vital socio-economic centers to avoid shortages in prioritized services. This includes using resources from the Cienfuegos refinery and the Energas plant in Puerto Escondido.
How has the LPG supply issue affected Cuban citizens?
The LPG supply issue has led to prolonged waits and uncertainty for Cuban citizens, as they face challenges in cooking with gas. The situation exacerbates an already dire economic and social environment on the island.