Liquefied Gas Company Issues Update for Western Cuban Customers

After weeks of uncertainty, the Liquefied Gas Company has announced the resumption of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) distribution in the provinces of Havana, Artemisa, and Mayabeque. The service, crucial for the daily life of thousands of families, had been halted until a vessel finally delivered fuel at the Ñico López refinery port.

In an informative note, the company explained that "operations will commence immediately once the liquefied petroleum gas is received at the port of Havana." This announcement, however, highlights the country's dependency on each infrequent shipment and the fragile nature of sourcing an essential resource.

Restrictive Measures Amid Unmet Demand

The state-run company has introduced measures aimed at "ensuring equitable distribution of the product." These measures focus on managing the limited gas supply rather than providing stability to the public:

Limited territorial coverage: Although it is stated that "all municipalities in the three provinces will be affected with daily planning," the measure resembles a rationing strategy instead of a stable supply.

Exclusion of certain customers: During the initial five-day period, only those who were unable to purchase since February and missed the chance in June will be able to buy. This prioritizes a backlog group, leaving many others still waiting.

Fragmented information: The company admits that only after these five days "will it be announced how the sales process will continue," leaving a large portion of customers in uncertainty.

One cylinder per household: Limiting sales to a single cylinder per customer underscores the scarcity. For large families or those with special needs, this measure is clearly insufficient.

Equitable Distribution or Scarcity Management?

General Director Iván Agustín Lora Alfredo stated to Granma that the planning aims to ensure "equitable distribution." In practice, however, it means distributing scarcity and prolonging the tension among those reliant on this service.

With daily power outages, access to liquefied gas becomes the only reliable way to cook. The conditioned and limited sales do not match the accumulated demand, highlighting the absence of structural solutions.

Complaint Channels, But No Structural Response

The company reminded that grievances can be reported to the Customer Care Group via phone, email, or in person in Central Havana. However, these contact methods offer little more than a formal outlet for problems lacking short-term solutions, as they rely on external factors such as new ship arrivals and foreign currency availability for imports.

While the resumption of LPG distribution is a relief for those who have been waiting in the three benefited provinces, the overall outlook remains grim. Until the country can secure a stable and predictable supply, each company announcement will merely act as a temporary fix, inadequate against the scale of the energy crisis directly affecting Cuban households' daily lives and meals.